STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME (SIWES) AND ACQUISITION OF REQUISITE JOB SKILLS AMONG BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES IN KWARA STATE

ABSTRACT The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is recognized nationally as a vital strategy for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical job skills among undergraduates. This study investigated SIWES as a determinant of job skill acquisition among final-year Business Education students in universities in Kwara State. The study had six specific purposes, including examining the extent to which SIWES influences the acquisition of problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, ICT skills, communication skills, entrepreneurship skills, and creativity and innovation skills. Six research questions and six null hypotheses were addressed. Relevant literature was reviewed, and the study was anchored on the Experiential Learning Theory, which emphasizes the role of structured, real-world experiences in developing practical competencies. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with a population of 358 final-year Business Education students across three universities: University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, and Al-Hikmah University. A sample size of 186 students was determined using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a researcherdesigned questionnaire titled Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme and Acquisition of Job Skills Questionnaire (SIWESAQ), consisting of 36 items. The instrument was validated by three experts and pilot-tested at Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin. Its reliability was confirmed using the Cronbach Alpha method, yielding an alpha level of 0.88. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-tests were conducted at a 0.05 significance level to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that SIWES positively influences the acquisition of problem-solving skills (x̅ = 3.05, SD = 0.57), critical thinking skills (x̅ = 3.12, SD = 0.54), ICT skills (x̅ = 3.18, SD = 0.51), communication skills (x̅ = 3.09, SD = 0.55), entrepreneurship skills (x̅ = 3.14, SD = 0.59), and creativity and innovation skills (x̅ = 3.11, SD = 0.56). All six null hypotheses were rejected (p < 0.05), confirming that SIWES participation significantly enhances the development of essential job-related competencies. The study concluded that SIWES is an effective mechanism for equipping Business Education students with relevant skills for the workplace. It was recommended that universities strengthen SIWES by fostering stronger industry partnerships, ensuring adequate supervision, integrating reflective reports, and providing post-placement workshops to consolidate acquired skills and improve graduate employability.