Effects of Industrial Training on Employability Skills of Business Education Students in Polytechnics in Anambra State

This study investigated the effects of industrial training on the employability skills of Business Education students in polytechnics in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. Industrial Training, also referred to as the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme, is a mandatory programme that places polytechnic students in industry settings to gain practical experience. For Business Education students, this exposure is expected to develop workplace competencies, professional conduct, and technical skills. However, the extent to which SIWES actually enhances employability outcomes in Anambra State has not been adequately studied. A quasi-experimental design involving pre- and post-SIWES assessments was adopted. The population comprised 360 ND2 Business Education students across four polytechnics in Anambra State who were enrolled in the industrial training programme. A sample of 180 students was selected using stratified random sampling. The Employability Skills Inventory, validated by human resource professionals and business education experts, was administered before and after industrial training. Paired samples t-test was used to analyze the data. Findings reveal a significant improvement in employability skills, particularly in office administration, professional communication, and teamwork, following industrial training. The study recommends that the Industrial Training Fund should strengthen the supervision and mentoring framework for Business Education students during SIWES and engage host organizations through structured competency development agreements. Keywords: industrial training, SIWES, employability skills, business education, Anambra State