How to Write a Detailed SIWES Technical Report and Get an A Grade

Depending on your department, the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) usually ranges from three to six months. A comprehensively documented technical report is required at the end of the training period. Typically, getting an A-grade is the goal when wrapping up SIWES training. However, writing a detailed SIWES technical report that deserves a high grade comes with a lot of sacrifices, hard work, and determination.

As a student embarking on the SIWES programme, understanding the nuances of writing an excellent technical report is critical to your success. This comprehensive guide will help you through the entire process, including the structure, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for creating an outstanding report.

Table of Contents

Understanding the SIWES Technical Report

The report serves as documentation of your training experiences, challenges faced, and the knowledge gained during the SIWES programme. It allows you to demonstrate your understanding of theoretical ideas in practical applications, which your institution will evaluate and grade. Additionally, it provides valuable insights into the areas that may require improvement in the curriculum of the academic institution and the industry’s programmes.

Importance of the SIWES Technical Report

In addition to serving as a tangible log of your experiences and contributions during your industrial training, it also reflects your growth and development as a student in your chosen field.

Moreover, the SIWES report demonstrates your capacity for clear written communication. It showcases your proficiency in presenting data and findings, documenting technical information, and drawing insightful conclusions from your experiences. Employers highly value these skills and having them is crucial for success in whatever profession you’ve chosen.

Furthermore, the report offers an organised framework for assessing your performance during the SIWES programme and evaluates your understanding of the practical aspects of your field and your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

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Structure and Format of the SIWES Technical Report

A well-defined structure is essential for creating a superb report so that readers can easily navigate the content and understand the presented information. Below is how to organise your SIWES report to get an excellent grade.

Title page

The title page gives an overview of the report and should include essential details such as the report’s title, your name, department, institution, the name of the company where you underwent training, the duration of the training, and the date of submission.

Preliminary pages

Despite being the first sections of most academic reports in Nigeria, these sections are usually the last to be written. They consist of:

(A). Certification: This page certifies that the author was responsible for compiling the report duly signed by the student and his/her supervisor(s). It also contains the student’s full name, department, and/or matriculation/registration number in a testimony-like statement.

(B). Dedication: The dedication section of your SIWES report briefly describes the person or people to whom the report is dedicated, whether they are living or deceased.

(C). Acknowledgement: You must have encountered individuals during your training who enhanced both your experience and the success of the SIWES programme. The acknowledgment section of your report should provide specific information about each member of this group, beginning with your supervisor(s) and lecturers.

(D). Table of contents: The table of contents lists the main sections and subsections of the report along with their respective page numbers. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, enabling easy navigation through the report.

(E). Abstract: Your SIWES report’s abstract not only serves as its front but also has a big impact on how well it gets graded. The abstract provides a succinct overview of the entire report, enabling the reader to grasp the main ideas without immediately getting bogged down in the details. It covers the introduction, aims and purpose of the Industrial experience, major findings, challenges encountered during the training, and possible solutions or recommendations.

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Introduction

As the name implies, the introduction page sets the stage for the SIWES report, outlining the objectives, scope, and significance of the industrial training. To prepare the reader for the in-depth discussion that follows, the student is expected to provide a concise summary of the report’s contents.

Main Body

The main body of the SIWES technical report includes a detailed account of your industrial training experiences, tasks performed, challenges encountered, and the knowledge gained during the SIWES programme.

Each section should be logically arranged, addressing the specific aspects of your training and learning. Students should also include concrete evidence of their experiences, illustrative examples like graphs, and supporting evidence like pictures to increase the report’s credibility and comprehensiveness.

Conclusion

The SIWES report’s conclusion is just as significant as every other section. It summarises the major findings, insights gained, and the overall impact of industrial training on your development, both academically and professionally. It brings the report to a close and highlights the importance of the experiences shared.

References

To ensure the document’s credibility and academic integrity, the references section contains alphabetically arranged citations for all the sources cited in the report.

Appendices

To strengthen the credibility of the report, you can compile additional details, such as raw data or technical drawings, on a separate page, known as the appendices. This section is optional.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid in the SIWES Technical Report

When writing this report, students frequently make a few common errors. These errors may lower the report’s overall quality and prevent you from earning the grade you want. Knowing these typical mistakes will not only help you prevent them from happening but will also act as a guide for creating a report that will earn you an A+.

Lack of clarity and precision

One common mistake is the lack of clarity and precision in presenting training experiences and insights. Unclear descriptions can lessen the impact of the report and make it more difficult for the reader to understand your experiences. To prevent making this mistake and improve the quality of the SIWES report, ensure to use clear and concise language throughout the report to convey your experiences in a meaningful way.

Overlooking detailed descriptions

Another common error students make is undermining the importance of writing a comprehensive report. A detailed account of the experiences and projects you worked on during your SIWES program helps to convey the value of the industrial training and makes it an enjoyable read.

Lack of supporting evidence

It is common to overlook the need to include illustrations, pictures, and other supporting evidence in your SIWES report. However, this additional information will help substantiate your experiences and strengthen the credibility of your report.

Disregarding recommendations

In their haste to complete the final report and meet the submission deadline, students frequently neglect to incorporate suggestions for improvement or potential future implications derived from their experiences. The report’s recommendations add greater value because they demonstrate your ability to identify areas for development and work to keep the SIWES programme improving.

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Conclusion

It takes careful planning and attention to detail to create a SIWES technical report that shines. You will get the grade you want if you follow the advice in this guide and start organizing your content, gathering information, and revising your draft early on.

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Edited by Halimat Chisom.