Factors influencing the effectiveness of industrial training of civil engineering undergraduates- KDU

Abstract

Industrial training is a core component in civil engineering education, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practice. This study evaluates the factors influencing the effectiveness of the 24-week industrial training module undertaken by Intake 39 civil engineering undergraduates at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). Using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire, feedback was gathered from 31 undergraduates. The analysis employed a combination of descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including correlation and multiple linear regression. Results show that undergraduate interest, the organizational training environment, and KDU support all have a positive influence on perceived training effectiveness, with undergraduate interest emerging as the strongest predictor. The findings emphasize the importance of motivation, structured training environments, and ongoing academic support in maximizing the value of industrial training. Based on these insights, the study recommends strengthening KDU’s pre-training orientation and academic follow-ups, promoting consistent supervision and mentoring by host organizations, and encouraging undergraduates to view industrial training as a proactive opportunity for career development.