• Ugheoke, Monica Ladi
• Egele, Angela Folahan

Abstract Despite the fact that programmes such as Entrepreneurship Education (EED) introduced in 2007 and Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) introduced in 1973, exist in some tertiary institutions in Nigeria, graduates still roam the streets because of lack of relevant skills for the industry/ workplace or self-employment. The lack of relevant skills by graduates have led to unemployment, increase in crimes and poverty. This study investigates students’ perception from Polytechnics in Edo State Nigeria, on training with innovative training programmes such as EED and SIWES. These innovative programmes are designed and compulsory for all the students in Polytechnics in Nigeria for certification, as well as to have quality acquisition of relevant skills needed in the industry/ workplace, employability, competences, lifelong learning (LLL and ultimately economic sustainable development of the nation. Survey research was conducted. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two (1,832) respondents were randomly selected from six Polytechnics in Edo State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire constructed on a four-point Likert scale was used in data collection. Percentages, mean score, Pearson Correlation, were used to analyse the research items and test of hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result shows that the students perceive the impact of these Innovative programmes such as entrepreneurship education, (EED) and student industrial work experience scheme (SIWES) as having positive and significant effect on qualitative skills acquisition, employability and lifelong learning in polytechnics in Nigeria. They however perceive these schemes as needing improvement in funding and implementation. This study concludes that these schemes are relevant for acquiring employability and self-reliant skills by students and may lead to sustainable economic development in Nigeria. It recommends adequate funding and implementation of these schemes. Also, the adoption of global and acceptable learning standard for Entrepreneurship Education and SIWES innovative programmes. In addition, synergy of practicable SIWES programmes in the polytechnic system in Nigeria with industries is necessary.

Entrepreneurship Education (EED); Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES); Lifelong Learning; Sustainable Economic National Development.

"Innovative Programmes On Entrepreneurship Education, (EED) And Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) For Qualitative Skills Acquisition, Employability And Lifelong Learning In Polytechnics In Edo State, Nigeria.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 5, page no.c433-c452, May-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2305265.pdf

"Innovative Programmes On Entrepreneurship Education, (EED) And Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) For Qualitative Skills Acquisition, Employability And Lifelong Learning In Polytechnics In Edo State, Nigeria.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 5, page no. ppc433-c452, May-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2305265.pdf