QUALITY TVET INTERNSHIP: A VERITABLE TOOL TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE

Abstract

TVET internship is the position whereby TVET student or TVET institution’s graduate undergoes supervised practical training. Internships cover a limited set of skills relevant for an occupation. TVET interns usually acquire their main knowledge and skills at a training centre or a university, and only learn supplementary skills through an internship. Significantly, for the purposes of realizing the whole essence and objectives of technical education and human resource development in Nigeria, it is imperative for students and senior members to acquire both theoretical, practical knowledge and technical skills.  This can be accomplished through institutional support and collaboration as well as TVET institution-industry linkage. The three types of TVET internship are work experience internship, research internship and virtual internship. Industrial internship gives competitive edge over graduate with no work experience, broadens students understanding of concepts and exposes them to real life working environment and experience. Also, the effective steps to bridge the gap between education and industry is to invite successful TVET graduate to come and share with on-going students their own experience on their work, arrange visits with industry so that students can get to the peak at the world of work. Conclusively, there are many challenges hindering the attainment of the goals of industrial internship which must be curbed by concerned institutions to make TVET educational goals attainable. It was recommended that Industries should be encouraged to always allow interns to have access to equipment and practice the various skills so as to become fully developed technicians.