Role of Industrial Attachment Programmes in Enhancing Employability of Vocational Students in Lagos State

This study assesses the role of industrial attachment programmes in enhancing the employability of vocational students in tertiary institutions in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. Industrial attachment, also known as the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme, is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practice. Despite its policy mandate, the effectiveness of the programme varies considerably across institutions and industries. The study employs a descriptive survey design, targeting 320 final-year students from three federal and state polytechnics in Lagos, Mushin, and Epe local government areas. A structured questionnaire measures students perceptions of the industrial attachment experience across dimensions including skill transfer, industry exposure, professional networking, and employment readiness. Employer feedback is also captured through a short interview guide administered to 30 industry supervisors. Frequency counts, percentages, and means are used for analysis. Findings are expected to reveal inconsistencies in supervision quality, mismatch between institutional training and industry needs, and limited feedback mechanisms between schools and host organisations. The study recommends formalised placement protocols, joint curriculum review meetings between institutions and industry partners, and stronger monitoring frameworks for attachment supervisors. This research adds to growing literature on work-based learning and employability outcomes in Nigerian vocational education, with implications for National Board for Technical Education policy development. Keywords: industrial attachment, employability, vocational students, Lagos State, work-based learning