Evaluation of the Impact of Students' Industrial Training on Journalistic Skills Acquisition among Polytechnic Students in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Good professional practice in journalism is a function of quality training. Good journalistic training must integrate the teaching of theory with exposure to practical skills to ensure adequate transition of students into employable graduates. However, there is a gap between theoretical training offered by various institutions of journalism and mass communication training and the demands for practical skills required for industry practice industry in Nigeria. This study evaluated the impact of students' industrial training, coordinated by the Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) supervised by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) among other things in Nigeria, on the acquisition of professional skills in journalism. It carried out a questionnaire survey on 292 purposively selected Polytechnic students of mass communication in Delta State, Nigeria who have observed or are observing the industrial training. Findings showed that industrial training had a significant effect on journalism education, contributed significantly to the employability status of the students and significantly influenced acquisition of professional skills in journalism. It recommended an extension of the approved four-month duration for the training programme and regular evaluative research for possible improvement of the programme.