Specialists are urging increased cooperation between industry and academia to close the widening gap between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs and Ghana’s employment landscape.
The experts emphasised that with the widening gap between TVET and Ghana’s labour market, there is a need for curriculum co-development, apprenticeship opportunities, and industry-led training to enhance employability and drive economic growth.
The conversation took place during a roundtable discussion focused on developingTVET systems that respond to market needs through cooperation. This event was organized by the Design and Technology Institute (DTI) in conjunction with the Mastercard Foundation.
The government launched the TVET program to provide youth with hands-on skills that facilitate job placement and bolster industrial development. Nonetheless, several hurdles remain in execution, particularly a discrepancy between the competencies acquired by TVET students and what industries such as construction, tech, and manufacturing require from their workforce.
A key message shared by experts at the event was the urgent need for closer ties between training institutions and industry.
They believe this collaboration is essential to ensuring that students are learning skills that are relevant and useful in today’s job market.
The Founder and President of DTI, Constance Swaniker, who is both an educator and an entrepreneur, emphasized the importance of robust collaborations between industries, educational institutions, and government entities.
She mentioned that the employment landscape is changing quickly, and if educational bodies do not align their programs with current industrial requirements, numerous graduates may keep facing difficulties when trying to secure jobs post-graduation.
“When training institutes and companies collaborate, they can jointly develop programs that equip students with practical skills desired by employers. Such partnerships are crucial for fostering an innovative workforce, lowering joblessness rates, and boosting economic growth,” she stated.
Expanding on this point, she highlighted that previously, universities and businesses pursued distinct objectives and aspirations, which led to restricted cooperation and a mismatch of competencies.
She mentioned that this discrepancy resulted in a lack of alignment between the skills being taught and the jobs available.
Through collaboration right from the beginning via course development, internships, and continuous input, we can ensure graduates have the abilities employers seek.
Professor William Baah-Boateng, an economist from the University of Ghana, echoed this idea, emphasizing the significance of tailoring Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policies to meet actual labor market needs. He stressed that Ghana’s economic progress hinges significantly on how effectively the nation develops its workforce.
“We must link the training policies to the actual requirements of the job market. This collaboration cannot rely solely on educational institutions; it requires strong partnership with industry stakeholders, the private sector, and the government,” he stated.
He also cautioned the academic community about creating course materials independently from industries since such an approach frequently falls short in equipping students with the necessary skills for real-world job environments.
“We need to unite leaders from both industries and educational sectors to develop training programs and establish benchmarks that align with the competencies employers seek. This isn’t merely an excellent concept; it has become a critical requirement for our nation,” he emphasized.
Danful Robert Tawiah, who serves as the Technical Advisor for GIZ’s Pact for Skills Programme, emphasized the achievements of Germany’s dual TVET system and stressed the importance of Ghana adopting a similar approach.
He described how German students divide their time between academic lessons in class and hands-on experience at real jobsites, which enhances their employability.
“Even though it was challenging initially, the collaboration between schools and businesses ultimately proved beneficial. We can draw valuable insights from this approach to enhance our own structures,” Mr. Tawiah pointed out.
He emphasized that implementing international best practices such as these could assist Ghana in crafting more effective internship programs, decreasing youth unemployment rates, and fostering a more robust workforce for the country’s progress.
Mark Aremu from Takoradi Technical University also recounted success tales from Ghana.
He detailed how TTU collaborates with entities such as DTI and the Kosmos Innovation Center to link students with job service advisors, assisting them in navigating their educational and career paths.
The event culminated in a collective demand for increased cooperation, enhanced policy backing, and continuous involvement from all parties involved—including industry leaders, educational bodies, governmental agencies, and developmental organizations—to transform TVET into a driving force for employment generation and economic expansion.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
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