Our First SIWES Interns Complete Their Training

Shades of Us First Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Interns at an Official Event to Chart A Way Forward for Nigeria's Economic Development

by Ramatu Ada Ochekliye

The first set of interns placed at Shades of Us through the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) have completed their six-month training with us.

Over the years, we have welcomed interns and volunteers from different backgrounds, including people who independently chose to volunteer with us. This was, however, our first experience hosting students from a Nigerian university through the SIWES programme, and we are proud of what the experience has produced.

They came in with some experience and knowledge. Over the past six months, they have grown in confidence, developed new skills, understood workplace culture, learned to analyse global issues through Nigerian and regional contexts, and challenged themselves to become better professionals.

Collectively, they have written more than 50 blog posts, all published on the Shades of Us website. They have learned mobile photography and videography, community engagement, research and analysis, and some have gone on to facilitate sessions at events hosted by or involving Shades of Us.

At Shades of Us, we take capacity building seriously. We start with our own team and extend that commitment to the young people who come through our doors. We believe in creating spaces where people can learn, contribute, take responsibility, and grow. We strive for excellence, and it has been rewarding to see how much they have grown over these six months.

And because we believe that excellence should be recognized, we are keeping them on.

We are grateful to Angela Umoru, who recommended Shades of Us as a placement opportunity for this first SIWES cohort. We love our firsts. More importantly, we love building the capacity of young people to participate confidently and meaningfully in global spaces.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth is one of the Sustainable Development Goals that guides our work, and creating meaningful pathways for young people to develop skills and experience is part of how we contribute to that goal.

We remain open to opportunities to support stronger career pathways for young people in Nigeria and across Africa.

To our first SIWES cohort, congratulations. This is only the beginning.

Shades of Us First Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Interns at an Official Event to Chart A Way Forward for Nigeria's Economic Development