Tarmacking for Industrial Attachment

Fountain of knowledge erected at the University of Nairobi

Many college students will not graduate this year because they have not done an industrial attachment unit.

Students are primarily attached to workplaces in order to gain experience and to put into practice what they have been taught.

“Our college writes us a letter that we present to multiple organizations in which we wish to be attached hoping that they will call us soon,” explains Kevin Onyatta, a student at the University of Nairobi. “Most places never get back to you.”

Colleges on the other hand expect these organizations to award attached students marks on punctuality, professional ability and sensitivity, accommodation of criticism, assertiveness and effectiveness of work, work relations among other parameters. A confidential report with marks and comments from your place of attachment is required at the end of two months

“I had to pay someone just to make sure my application letter ‘got in the right hands’ because in many organizations, attachment letters are left at the gate,” says Miriam Wainaina, a college student in Nairobi.

College students are now calling on The Dean of Academics to send attachment applications in advance in order to avoid further delays in graduation.

“We pay for this unit like other course units and it is the obligation of the college to find us places for attachment,” laments Miriam Wainaina.

Due to the increasing number of colleges, organizations now interview applicants and require a CV in addition to the attachment letter. On the other hand, most private universities find industrial attachments and internships for their students.