تويت
Field Training for Students of Higher Education: Reality and Aspirations
Field Training for Students of Higher Education:
Reality and Aspirations
written by: Abdulwahab Al-Za'abi & Hala Al-Omairi
Despite the students’ awareness of the importance of field training in Higher Education Institutions and the importance of the labor market in the recognition of the working environment and job skills and performance, the reality of field training in the Sultanate of Oman, in both private and governmental institutions, has been suffering from the absence of strategic planning at the Ministry of Higher Education, colleges and universities. This has had negative impacts on students’ training results as it has hampered the efficient implementation of training programs. Consequently, many students today no longer believe in the importance of field training and have become more skeptical towards educational institutions in providing training opportunities that could contribute in the development of job skills and foster employee’s working performance in a better working environment.
In this regard, Dr. Hilal Al-Moqbali - Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Technology College - talks about the importance of field training for students, saying that: " training strengthens knowledge received by student during their studies, and guarantees some basic skills after graduation. Many educational institutions have started a variety of teaching methods with more focus on the required skills that students need in the real working environment”. When asked about the most direct faced by students trainees, Dr. Al-Moqbali confirms that : " At the present time, there are several challenges facing the field of training and most importantly: - the students’ belief in the importance of training, And their commitment to the field training period. Besides, some institution do not provide a congenial working environment for students trainees that could match their fields of specialization in certain professional positions . In addition to that, there is a weak relationship between the higher education institutions and the labor market institutions, resulting in severe shortage in providing opportunities for field training, and lack of awareness among the public about the Of establishing stronger connections between the Higher education institutions and the labor market. Dr. Al Moqbali also expressed his view on the reasons behind the students’ negative reactions to field training and their lack of interest in it, saying that : " The main reason is that some students still believe that being provided with a position is an acquired right, which is a false belief. Regardless of their recruitment places, student trainees have to sit for a number of tests and interviews. Only the best candidates will have the opportunity to be selected. This is how the process of field training takes place. The main aim is to teach student trainees that university education and field training are important an inseparable.
Training is Part of the Philosophy of Higher Education
Mrs. Fatima Al-Buloshiya -a specialist information and solutions Service auditor at Sultan Qaboos University, Has expresses her opinion on the importance of training students Job market before graduation. As a specialist, Mrs. Fatima believes in : " highlighting the importance of training in the practical application of the students’ theoretical university studies in the field training, sensitizing the student scientific and practical efficiency through training activities that are available in institutions, My point of view is that the importance of training (knowledge, mental, General), it is in practice knowledge, By providing Student trainees with knowledge, concepts, principles and expertise Necessary for them to be recruited in the labor market, and to the perception of the required professional Required in the labor market. Also, Field training informs Student trainee son the different ways to communicate and interact with others, As it promotes their professional growth and development and the recruitment of theoretical framework (theoretical knowledge) in the areas of field training, with respect to the mental contributes to gain trainees more self-confidence and self-esteem and how to act in emergency and other situations.
The specialist has also pointed out the challenges that face the reality of field training, saying that : " Field training is facing many challenges, the most Serious of which is the lack of accurate statistical data of the workforce and potential training, a lack of scientific studies and the process to identify training needs as well as the lack of experience and competencies of workers in the field of training. In her personal view, Mrs. Fatima suggests that field training has to be a compulsory element within the plan, the student. Besides, there should be a set of clear supervision measures and rules for all partners to comply with. She adds that there should be a clear mechanism and specific training in each institution Finally, she suggesting the establishment of a national center that includes all Higher Education Institutions which aims at providing all necessary data and statistics about student trainees and take advantage of other developed countries ‘experiences in the field of training.
Obtaining a Certificate of Training
Dealing with student trainees ‘ enthusiasm during training, Salem bin Hamad al-Hassani - Director of Human Resources Service in Muscat Governorate says: “we note the existence of students and a desire to learn and Show great cooperation during the period of training, especially if the training is compatible with the trainees’ academic and specialization curriculum. If the subject of training is away from the area of specialization , students show some indifference and punctuality in attendance, and has no desire to learn or get interested in training, but care for the end of the period of training to get a training certificate and no more.
Not likely to be a Compulsory Training
Suleiman bin Suroor al-Mamari - IT engineer - had already been trained in the private sector, during his study at university, where he says about his the experience : " training field experience has allowed me to deal with the work environment, I have benefited a lot in refining and making skills contact and communication with the staff, As I gained more responsibility, time management skills, And testing personal capacities, which could enable trainees to engage themselves in the field of work," he said. About his opinion in making training compulsory subject, al-Mamari answers : " not likely that training should be compulsory for all students more of an optional, for two reasons. Firstly, the institutions, both governmental and private, cannot absorb huge amount of students for training of all institutions of higher education. Secondly, because the decision of student in the training is considered one of the challenges that must be overcome to be able to rebuild itself, but under the guidance of the professional recruitment support ".
Wedyan bint Matar Al-Shiblya - student allocated to the management of the work of the University of Sohar- contradicts her opinion with al-Mamari, where she prefers to go for compulsory training for students, saying that: "The best way is that training should be compulsory for students in various disciplines to gain experience, knowledge and skills beside the information theory they learnt". Al-Mamari and Al-Shiblya agreed with the view that the private sector is a good choice for in field training, saying that : " Many students prefer training in the private sector, since this sector may provide them with jobs after their training period, And there are many cases of trainees who could prove that., in addition to that, most private institutions give monthly salary to trainees, while we do not observe these advantages in the public sector! "
Tamima bint Shaban Al-Yarabia - a student in Burimi University- on the issue of the interest earned through training in one of the institutions of Governmental job market, she said : " through having training, I gained several experiences in the area of work, in dealing with the staff and revisers or systems used in all sections, in addition to the awareness of the tasks administered by each section in that institution ... therefore I believe that the training is the opportunity to make the pilot student aware of the readiness to engage in a labor market," . She adds: "And instead of making the training compulsory, incentives have a big role in stimulating the student training institution, especially from the employer.
Investment Recruitment Exhibition
Fatima bint Saeed Al-Jrdanyah - student allocated power engineering at Caledonian College - In the extent of the interest earned by the student of training, she said: " for training benefits, it is through training experience that I gained new skills in the area of specialization curriculum, which, in turn, contributed to raising the level of understanding and awareness of the nature of the deep specialization, as well as the exchange of experiences between the student and trainees and workers in the field. Training helps students refine skills theory and its application in practice to build student graduates with high professional competence. - on students training in the private sector, Al Jrdanyah said : " students prefer to go to training in the private sector, the fact that the work practices in this sector is different from the nature of the government sector, which is dominated by the office as routine service organizations, in light of the institutions of the private sector production enterprises in which field work and production highlights the intellectual commodity production, which could refine Empower trainees ‘ skills experience And provide them with more knowledge and deeper understanding of specialization in the labor market.
Compulsory Subject to Students
Ammar bin Yasser Al Hosani – student for software development, at College of Applied Science sohar expressed her point of view regarding training as a compulsory subject to the students, and should included in the study plan, saying that: "there should be training for students, the usefulness of the skills and experience It also contributes to having better knowledgeable students with more learning and professional opportunities.