Supervision
Three different people, three different roles
Students lose marks simply because they mix up who does what. Here is the difference, and how to be ready when each one shows up.
Industrial supervisor
A staff member of the organisation where you train — often the head of your unit.
What they do
- Assigns your daily tasks
- Shows you how work is really done
- Signs and comments in your logbook
- Completes any assessment form your school sends
How to work with them
- • Greet and report to them daily
- • Ask questions when you are unsure
- • Bring your logbook when you need a signature
- • Never rush or pressure them for signatures at the last minute
School supervisor
A lecturer or institution representative assigned to monitor your training.
What they do
- Visits or contacts your workplace
- Confirms you are truly on training
- Checks your logbook and attendance
- Assesses you and may guide your report
How to work with them
- • Keep your logbook updated at all times
- • Know your organisation's name, address and what it does
- • Be able to explain your work in simple words
- • Communicate politely and respond to calls and messages
SIWES coordinator
The person coordinating SIWES for your department or institution.
What they do
- Issues placement and introduction letters
- Explains official duration and requirements
- Collects logbooks, reports and forms
- Handles problems with placement or documentation
How to work with them
- • Ask for the official requirements in writing where possible
- • Report placement problems early, not at the end
- • Meet every deadline they announce
Mistakes that cost students marks
- • Updating the logbook only when a visit is announced
- • Not knowing what the organisation actually does
- • Being absent from the workplace on visit days without permission
- • Losing the acceptance or introduction letter
- • Waiting until the last week to ask for signatures
- • Not saving the school supervisor's or coordinator's contact
Questions you should be able to answer
Supervisors and panels ask these during visits and presentations.
- 1. Introduce yourself and tell us where you did your SIWES.
- 2. What does the organisation do?
- 3. Which department or unit were you attached to?
- 4. Describe one task you carried out from start to finish.
- 5. Which tools, machines or software did you use?
- 6. What new skill did you gain that you did not have before?
- 7. What was the biggest challenge you faced and how did you handle it?
- 8. How does this training relate to what you were taught in class?
- 9. What safety rules did you follow?
- 10. What would you recommend to students going next year?
Supervision styles differ from one institution to another. Some departments visit twice, others call instead. Confirm what applies to you with your department or SIWES coordinator — and never sign, or ask anyone else to sign, a supervisor's section for them.