Industrial Attachment Research Articles

Competence Based Education And Training For Social Economic Transformation

Concern has been expressed over the employability and inept demonstration of skills at work by TVET graduates. This has led to questions about the reasons for the negative outcomes. A combination of observations, discussions in comparative studies led to scrutiny of the training of TVET school leavers. The study sought to discover strategies that can be employed to enhance the quality of outcomes and employability of college leavers. This was a qualitative study in which data collection from 35 trainees was done using observation reports of teacher trainees. Results have shown that employment of CBET may enhance skills development due to the element of industrial attachment where trainees will work under experienced and knowledgeable mentors as trainee teachers do. The model used for teacher training was recommended for other TVET sectors to enable the participation of industry in the training of future personnel within their environment. Trainees expressed satisfaction with the use of CBET because it exposed them to both natural working environment and mentoring by experienced and knowledgeable experts. The training arrangement enhanced their skills and knowledge in preparation for the world of work on completion. CBET was therefore an alternative training method which can be extended to industry from teaching.

Management Strategies for Practical Skills Development Instruction in Zimbabwean Polytechnics

The purpose of this study was to come up with management strategies for practical skills development instruction. This was motivated by the observation that lecturers’ instruction is not in tandem with practical skills development which is key to polytechnic education. This problem was also identified in other countries (Nigeria, Atsumbe, 2002; Ghana, Dasmani, 2004and Botswana, Richardson, 2009). Literature review reflected on theoretical perspectives on practical skills development in polytechnic education in the hope of coming up with management strategies to promote the practical skills. Descriptive Survey was used for research design. Cluster sampling was applied to raise a sample size of 115 lecturers. Questionnaires and interview guides were used. Documents like policies, minutes, circulars and schemes of work were analysed to establish the position and subsequently the teaching of practical skills. From the data collected it emerged that most lecturers rely heavily on the demonstration and lecture methods for practical skills development and unavailability of resources as well as lack of know-how on the part of the lecturer were impingements on practical skills development. Lack of know-how was confirmed during interviews and authenticated by questionnaires which were left blank on spaces requiring teaching methods. The study recommends that in-service training for instruction onpractical skills development be organised. Colleges can use one of the colleges as a centre for practical skills development instruction. Each college can twin with one industry for department equipmentation to expose students to current machinery. Lecturers can go on attachment in industry. Such exposure would enable them to know industrial expectations on practical skills. Further research can be done on factors affecting lecturers writing of books on practical skills development .

Employability skills: perspectives from employers and tourism graduates in Ghana

Employers of graduates of higher education have often complained of a gap between skills and work attributes required by industry and those acquired by graduates. The main aim of this paper was to provide a comparison of views of employers and tourism graduates on employability skills required for employment by industry in Ghana. The paper was based on a tracer study conducted in June and July 2011 at the Tourism Department of Cape Coast Polytechnic, in Ghana. The study, which was cross sectional, involved a sample of 174 employed tourism graduates, selected using snowball sampling and 25 of their employers selected through multi stage sampling. The results of the study indicated that while there were no vast differences in their views regarding importance of certain skills, there were variations in the level of importance placed on such skills. For instance, the graduates considered the work attribute of time management more important than the employers, while the employers gave higher priority to team working skills than the graduates. An implication of this study is that strong collaboration is needed between higher educational institutions and industry employers not only to ensure industrial attachment placement for students but also for the students to acquire the right employability skills and work attributes, needed by industry

The Determinants of FTSE4 Good Bursa Malaysia

This study was conducted to identify the factors that influence the companies listed in Bursa Malaysia to be indexed as FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia (F4GBM). The companies awarded as F4GBM are those with good sustainable practices. This study investigates the potential factors that explain the good sustainable practice (i.e. corporate size, financial performance, industry attachment and sharia-compliant). Analysis reveals that only corporate size which proxy by market capitalization has significant relationship with good sustainable practice.

Collaborative and Linkage Programs Between TVET Institutions and the Industry. A Case of TVET Institutions in North Rift Region, Kenya.

The industry-institute relationship as a result of industrial attachment program among TVET institutions plays a key role in ensuring up to date skill transfer among TVET graduates. This paper highlights the various forms of collaboration between TVET institutions and Industry in Kenya through an industrial attachment program. The study focused on TVET institutions in North Rift region, Kenya. The study adopted descriptive survey design. Stratified proportionate simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 245 respondents which included 30 lecturers, 3 industrial liaison officers, 5 workplace supervisors and 207 TVET students. The research instruments for data collection were; the structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics included frequencies, percentages and mean. Data was presented in form of pie charts, bar charts, and tables. The study recommends that training institutions need to strengthen institute-industry linkage to ensure quality training.

Influence of University Curriculum Design on Employability of Kenyan Graduates: Public Universities Perspective

Despite the rising levels of education in Kenya, many graduates face very high unemployment rates. This raises questions on the demand and market orientation of the university curriculum design and whether the university course designers are cognizant of labor market trends. It for this reason this paper sought to investigate the influence of university curriculum design on employability of Kenyan graduates. A descriptive survey research design was applied in this study. The paper gathered feedback on the influence of university curriculum design on employability of Kenyan graduates from graduates and employers of Super Markets in Nakuru Town. Data was collected from one hundred and forty (130) graduates and (10 managers) employers of graduates about the proficiency of graduates in relation to each of the employability capabilities as a result of graduating from undergraduate programs. Both qualitative and quantitative data from the surveys was analyzed. A descriptive statistical analysis approach was used to analyze the quantitative data. The study found that experience as a highly required factor in the job market. The study also found that internships as very useful especially for graduates looking for their first opportunity in the world of work. The study also found that industrial attachment for lecturers was important as it was thought to help them gain the industry practices. The study concluded that the experiential learning approach should be deliberately designed around an open-ended authentic project and negotiated between university and industry stakeholders. This study recommends creation of employer voice on skills through establishment of a commission for employment and skills. The study also recommends increasing university investment in internship in degree and postgraduate programs and strong partnership with employers while designing curriculum.

An Empirical Evaluation of Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (Tvet) Processes In Kenya

This paper examines key stakeholders evaluations of the Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET) processes in Kenya. The paper responds to on-going debate in the business community, media and training practitioners to the perceived mismatch of the skills required in the industry and those produced by the TVET program. Data for this paper were collected from government documents, previous research papers, and business reports and editorials. In addition, primary data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and observations. Respondents included education officers, business employers and employee and trainers and trainees of four TVET institutions. Findings: Most stakeholders were happy with TVET objectives and its contribution in furnishing the industry with requisite skills. However, they enumerated various challenges that make it difficult for TVET to respond adequately to the industry’s skill needs. Discussion was guided by the Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model that has four levels: reaction, learning, behaviour and resultsRecommendations: Addressing the mismatch of skills in TVET institutions: through a current skills’ inventory, tracer studies of TVET graduates, regular program evaluation, creating linkages with the industry, enhancing industrial attachments and a flexible TVET curriculum.Quality of training: Accredit Business owners as trainers, introduce short trainer competency courses and TVET institutions equally. Recognition of prior learning: recognise prior learning methods, create validation mechanisms, integrate of formal and informal trainings and addressing numerous certificates and training levels.Funding TVET: Offer training loans to TVET students, introduce a training levy to businessesGetting value for money. Analyse all training inputs and judge whether the training is worthwhile. Enhancing the status of TVET. Enhance workplace competencies for survival in self-employment and communicate the benefits and successes of TVET training.

English

This study was conducted to gauge students’ competency and satisfaction in employment preparation within programmes offered by the School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). A survey questionnaire was distributed to all final year students of the School and 128 of them responded. The results showed that for the programme components, respondents were most satisfied with the quality of academic staff, followed by the quality of fellow students, curricular contents and overall learning environment. In terms of knowledge, general skills, and virtues they received, the respondents expressed high competency levels in various areas which include the languages, English and Bahasa Melayu, interpersonal skills, information technology and research skills, and work related skills gained through industrial training attachment. However, respondents rated the overall academic experience to be of average standing. These findings indicated that the curricular contents need to be reviewed to improve/enhance the quality of the programmes offered in order to prepare students for demanding expectations of the job market. Keywords: Higher education; student satisfaction; curriculum evaluation; employability; skills

Assessment of environmental education and manpower development strategies in Kainji lake national park, Nigeria

Irrespective of consistent environmental awareness created by different conservation institutions in Nigeria the level of environmental degradation has remained on the increase. There is therefore an urgent need to investigate the effectiveness of the strategies used for both environmental education, and the development of the environmental educators. Assessment of Environmental Education and Manpower development strategies in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) was therefore conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of the strategies; and factors militating against effective environmental education in the park. Data for this study were obtained through personal observations, administrative record, three sets of structured questionnaires and in depth interview with experienced members of staff and knowledgeable indigenes of host communities. A set of questionnaire was administered to thirty percent of staff in the park. The second set was randomly administered to thirty percent of household representatives in ten easily accessible communities bordering the park, while the third was administered to 59% of all students of the Department of Forestry, University of Port Harcourt who visited KLNP for industrial attachment. In all 100 staff members, 403 household representatives and 42 students were sampled. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of percentages and frequencies. Environmental education level was rated high in KLNP by staff (82.00%) and student (83.00%) respondents. Strategies of environmental education in the park were listed as industrial attachment (IT)(25.0%), mass media (18.00%), seminars (18.00%), hand bills / fliers (14.00%) and workshop (12.00%) and excursions. As a tool for man power development, Industrial Training (I.T) was rated very effective by staff (79.80%), and student (69.00%) respondents. Also rated effective by staff respondents were In – service training (79.80%) and workshop (67.10%). Majority of the student respondents rated I.T very effective as a man power development strategy. A total of 482 students from 19 higher institutions across different geopolitical zones of Nigeria have participated in I.T. of KLNP between 1979 and 2005, while a total of 22,894 students from different states of Nigeria have visited KLNP in form of excursion, with the highest participation experienced in 1998 (2,591). Also 158 workers of KLNP have participated in different forms of staff empowerment programme between 2004 and 2009, with the highest participation recorded in 2008 (78,48%). More so, 220 staff of KLNP have participated in In – service training between 2000 and 2010. Problems militating against effective environmental education and manpower development in the park were inadequate funding (85%) and low educational level of community dwellers (33.00%).Students’ industrial attachment is the most effective strategy of man power development in KLNP that can have national spread and sustainable impact, while students’ excursion is an effective strategy of also having a sustainable environmental education that spreads across the country. But, at local level, focus discussion and use of radio are the most effective environmental awareness strategy among communities bordering the park, while in – service training and skill acquisition programme for host communities are the most effective man power development strategy.

Assessment of Environmental Education and Manpower Development Strategies in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

Irrespective of consistent environmental awareness created by different conservation institutions in Nigeria the level of environmental degradation has remained on the increase. There is therefore an urgent need to investigate the effectiveness of the strategies used for both environmental education, and the development of the environmental educators. Assessment of Environmental Education and Manpower development strategies in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) was therefore conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of the strategies; and factors militating against effective environmental education in the park. Data for this study were obtained through personal observations, administrative record, three sets of structured questionnaires and in depth interview with experienced members of staff and knowledgeable indigenes of host communities. A set of questionnaire was administered to thirty percent of staff in the park. The second set was randomly administered to thirty percent of household representatives in ten easily accessible communities bordering the park, while the third was administered to 59% of all students of the Department of Forestry, University of Port Harcourt who visited KLNP for industrial attachment. In all 100 staff members, 403 household representatives and 42 students were sampled. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of percentages and frequencies. Environmental education level was rated high in KLNP by staff (82.00%) and student (83.00%) respondents. Strategies of environmental education in the park were listed as industrial attachment (IT)(25.0%), mass media (18.00%), seminars (18.00%), hand bills / fliers (14.00%) and workshop (12.00%) and excursions. As a tool for man power development, Industrial Training (I.T) was rated very effective by staff (79.80%), and student (69.00%) respondents. Also rated effective by staff respondents were In – service training (79.80%) and workshop (67.10%). Majority of the student respondents rated I.T very effective as a man power development strategy. A total of 482 students from 19 higher institutions across different geopolitical zones of Nigeria have participated in I.T. of KLNP between 1979 and 2005, while a total of 22,894 students from different states of Nigeria have visited KLNP in form of excursion, with the highest participation experienced in 1998 (2,591). Also 158 workers of KLNP have participated in different forms of staff empowerment programme between 2004 and 2009, with the highest participation recorded in 2008 (78,48%). More so, 220 staff of KLNP have participated in In – service training between 2000 and 2010. Problems militating against effective environmental education and manpower development in the park were inadequate funding (85%) and low educational level of community dwellers (33.00%).Students’ industrial attachment is the most effective strategy of man power development in KLNP that can have national spread and sustainable impact, while students’ excursion is an effective strategy of also having a sustainable environmental education that spreads across the country. But, at local level, focus discussion and use of radio are the most effective environmental awareness strategy among communities bordering the park, while in – service training and skill acquisition programme for host communities are the most effective man power development strategy.

Corporate sustainability reporting and situation in Turkey

The need to provide stakeholders with the information whether the corporate sustainability obligations imposed on business have been met or not, necessitated environmental and social data to be reported and presented alongside financial information relating to operating activities.This study puts forth conceptual explanations related to sustainability, and sustainability reporting framework for sustainability reporting, organizations and indexes, and then reveals the sustainability reporting situation in Turkey. To this end, in line with data in the corporate sustainability portal as of May 2015, corporate sustainability reports in Turkey were analysed. According to the data obtained from this portal, a total of 181 corporate sustainability reports were published by 72 organizations in Turkey between the years 2005-2014. 130 of these reports were based on the GRI reporting guidelines.This study on corporate sustainability reporting contains 26 benchmarks related to organizations issuing reports and the reports themselves. In this study, sector distribution of the organizations issuing corporate sustainability reports, their sizes, publicity, availability on the stock market, the number of employees, turnover, GRI OS (Global Reporting Initiative - Organizational Stakeholders) membership, UNGC (United Nations Global Compact) membership and types of issued corporate sustainability reports, the release years, the reporting periods, the report language, GRI application levels, GRI application statements, reference, auditing, audit providers, industry attachment, stakeholder panel/expert opinion have been identified as the criteria.

The impact of brand authenticity on brand attachment in the food industry

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of brand authenticity on brand attachment and subsequently on consumer behaviour related to food brands.Design/methodology/approach– Results are derived from primary data collected from a consumer sample in Greece. Respondents rate their brand authenticity and brand attachment for two well established authentic Greek brands in the food industry.Findings– The study confirms that brand authenticity predicts the brand attachment, while brand attachment influences consumers purchase intentions, willingness to pay more and promote the brand.Practical implications– The benefits of brand authenticity should not be ignored and should be protected by the brand managers of food brands because it can be the one of the competitive advantages that can be leveraged in the competitive food industry sector.Originality/value– It provides the required empirical support for the impact of brand authenticity on brand attachment and behavioural intentions in the food industry.

Industrial Training Programmes of Polytechnics in Ghana: The Pertinent Issues

In today’s world of stiff competition in the labour market, coupled with advanced technology, industries require ofstudents to have job experience before employing them. The challenge here is that the experience being required isnot taught in the lecture rooms. The reality is that, it is only gained though hands on the job, thus real worldconfrontation popularly called industrial attachment a platform for students arm themselves with all the skill,knowledge and demanded experience. This article examines the industrial attachment programmes of polytechnics inGhana and pertinent issues involved. The paper tackled the problem from four thematic areas; the preparation beforethe training starts, the perceived challenges encountered, the benefits derived from embarking on the training andsuggested strategies to be employed to enhance the programme.

Students Perceptions Towards Industrial Attachment in Kumasi: An Ordinal logistic Approach

The association of four ordered categories of student’s perceptions towards challenges in industrial attachment program with socio-demographic characteristics is researched in this study. The ordered nature of responses motivated the use of ordinal logistic model. With the aid of questionnaire, data were gathered from students who were serving in various institutions within the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. We developed a latent variable model from the ordinal logistic model for thresholds of the categories of student’s perceptions towards industrial attachment. Gender and marital status showed negative relationship on students’ perception about industrial attachment. However, for place of attachment, supervisor and office space positive associations were found. We evaluated the validity of our model using the assumption of parallel lines.

Review of Pseudomonas Attachment and Biofilm Formation in Food Industry

During the last few decades, extensive attention has been paid on the management of food alteration and contamination caused by spoilage organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The ability to metabolize a variety of diverse nutrients enables these bacteria to survive in a variety of habitats by developing biofilms. Biofilms are more resistant to antimicrobials making their elimination from food processing facilities a big challenge. However, understanding the mechanisms by which these microorganisms develop biofilm has remained elusive. In this background and because of their resistant phenotype, attention should be focused on better understanding how to eradicate completely Pseudomonas biofilm . In this review our ultimate goal is to covers recent advances in biofilm formation and to describe certain factors linked to biofilm resistance. It is important to note that future endeavours are needed to elucidate mechanisms that reduce the susceptibility of biofilms to biocides.

Construction project management training for China's engineers and managers in Singapore: meeting present and future demands

This paper describes an engineering training programme designed exclusively to meet some of the present and future needs of China's construction professionals in modern construction project management practices. The trainees, mainly experienced engineers and managers, first spend 3 months in their home country learning the English language. They then depart for Singapore for a 15–month training period: a 3–month residential course in construction project management practices at Nanyang Technological University followed by a 12–month industrial attachment period with a Singaporean construction firm. The China Construction Industry Development Program is jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Construction of the People's Republic of China and the Construction Industry Development Board of the Ministry of National Development, Singapore. This 5–year programme, which commenced in 1993, is financially supported by a World Bank loan.

A framework to support human factors of automation in railway intelligent infrastructure

Technological and organisational advances have increased the potential for remote access and proactive monitoring of the infrastructure in various domains and sectors – water and sewage, oil and gas and transport. Intelligent Infrastructure (II) is an architecture that potentially enables the generation of timely and relevant information about the state of any type of infrastructure asset, providing a basis for reliable decision-making. This paper reports an exploratory study to understand the concepts and human factors associated with II in the railway, largely drawing from structured interviews with key industry decision-makers and attachment to pilot projects. Outputs from the study include a data-processing framework defining the key human factors at different levels of the data structure within a railway II system and a system-level representation. The framework and other study findings will form a basis for human factors contributions to systems design elements such as information interfaces and role specifications.

Any Difference? A Comparative Analysis: ACase Study of Two Festivals

Tourism Organizations Role in Training and Employment of University Tourism Graduates in Kenya Kenya is one of the leading tourist destinations in Africa due to its rich and diverse culture, wildlife and scenic beauty. As a result, there is an increasing demand for qualified professionals to serve in this very sensitive and yet fragile industry. Moi University, the pioneer institution of higher learning to offer a degree programme in tourism management has so far produced many graduates employed in different sectors. This study aimed at investigating the awareness of tourism industry practitioners about tourism graduates and their willingness to offer industrial attachment and employment opportunities. Also assessed was whether development of Moi University Tourism Students Electronic database (MUTSEd) would be an important tool for future recruitment of Moi University tourism graduates.

Tourism Organizations Role in Training and Employment of University Tourism Graduates in Kenya

Tourism Organizations Role in Training and Employment of University Tourism Graduates in Kenya Kenya is one of the leading tourist destinations in Africa due to its rich and diverse culture, wildlife and scenic beauty. As a result, there is an increasing demand for qualified professionals to serve in this very sensitive and yet fragile industry. Moi University, the pioneer institution of higher learning to offer a degree programme in tourism management has so far produced many graduates employed in different sectors. This study aimed at investigating the awareness of tourism industry practitioners about tourism graduates and their willingness to offer industrial attachment and employment opportunities. Also assessed was whether development of Moi University Tourism Students Electronic database (MUTSEd) would be an important tool for future recruitment of Moi University tourism graduates.

A vital feedback loop in educating and training archival professionals: a tracer study of records and archives management graduates in Zimbabwe

Tracer studies are one of the tools that educational institutions may use to gauge the applicability of the courses they offer to their work environments. This study traced records and archives management (RAM) alumni who graduated from the National University of Science and Technology between 2008 and 2012. The main purpose of the study was to find out where RAM graduates were and what they were doing and establish if the skills they acquired during their education placed them in jobs relevant to their profession. A quantitative survey with a triangulation of data collection methods was employed. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires, interviews and document analysis. Data was analysed using quantitative methods with the assistance of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results indicate that 67 percent of RAM graduates were employed, with the greatest number employed in parastatals, that is, agencies which are quasi-governmental. Skills that graduates acquired during their education were relevant to their jobs though they were not happy with the limited industrial attachment and exposure to practical training, and the sketchy coverage of aspects of information technology in the curriculum. Results also indicate that some organizations in industry did not appreciate the essence of the RAM profession. It is recommended that the Department of Records and Archives Management should involve stakeholders such as employers when designing the curriculum so that they may appreciate what the Department was doing, and should equip its graduates with skills that are always relevant to industry. Information technology aspects of the curriculum and industrial attachment for students need a rethink.