Gateway to the real world, industrial training: dilemmas and problems

In today's competitive society, students are faced with a selective job market which places premium on experience. Hands-on experience cannot be imparted through lectures. It can only be gained through direct activity, either laboratory or real world confrontation. Laboratory learning is clinical, whereas, real-world confrontation, known as industrial training or internship, affords students a first hand glimpse of reality. There is no substitution for the "sting of battle". This paper examines stakeholders' reactions to the university level "industrial training" program and its success in providing a realistic workplace experience. The study examined the structure of the "industrial training system" (ITS), its strengths and weaknesses, and what can be done to improve the system. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.