Industrial Liasson Office

Background Information

The Industrial Liaison Office is responsible for coordinating all matters related to the industrial attachment of all trainees and trainers. The office provides the linkage to industries, working with firms or organizations where our trainees and trainers can acquire necessary practical skills and knowledge that can only be learned outside the confines of the lecture rooms.

The Nyamira National Polytechnic offers several courses examined both internally and externally by:

• Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC)
• Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Certification Council (CDACC)
• National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)

Industrial Training and/or Attachment is a requirement, and all the examining bodies mentioned above have their specific requirements regarding industrial training and attachment.

Office Leadership

The office is headed by the Industrial Liaison Officer and Deputy Industrial Liaison Officer, assisted by departmental industrial liaison officers (Head of Departments – HODs) representing their academic departments.

Industrial Training/Attachment Process

Before the trainees are sent out for industrial training or attachment, the department will carry out the following:

• Brief the trainees on the regulatory requirements concerning industrial training and what is expected of them by both the industry and the polytechnic.
• Issue insurance covers to all trainees that will cover them against personal injury or accidents that might occur within the industry during industrial training or attachment.
• Provide open letters of introduction to all trainees, which, besides their own handwritten applications, are sent or presented to the relevant industry of their choice to be considered for industrial training or attachment opportunities.
• Once the trainees have confirmed or settled at their placement in the industry, the department will organize for industrial visitation for dual trainees and assessment for trainees on attachment. These assessments will be carried out by both our internal assessors and the industry supervisor through the Industrial Liaison Officer.

Benefits of Using the Industrial Liaison Office

Industrial training or attachment benefits the trainees in the following ways:

• Practical Skills: Enhances hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and techniques.
• Job Readiness: Improves job readiness by providing real-world work experience, thus making graduands more employable.
• Industry Exposure: Familiarizes trainees with workplace culture and expectations.
• Networking: Provides opportunities to build professional connections.
• Bridging Knowledge Gaps: Helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
• Career Insights: Offers insights into potential career paths and industry demands.
• Soft Skills Development: Allows trainees to develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-Confidence: Increases self-confidence through real-world accomplishments.
• Job Offers: Often leads to job offers from training industries or organizations.
• Constructive Feedback: Provides constructive feedback from industry professionals, aiding in personal and professional growth.
• Innovation & Creativity: Stimulates innovation and creative thinking by working on real-life projects.