Collaborate with TVET institutions to build resilient economy – Prof. Danso
The private sector has been urged to collaborate effectively with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to ensure skills development in building a resilient economy.
According to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Professor Humprey Danso, such a move, would provide the country with more skilled staff to ensure efficiency at the workplace.
He indicated this at a round table event for Private Sector Engagement and Partnership in TVET, organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the Pact for Skills in Accra yesterday.
The event, which was part of activities in commemoration of the Africa skills week, was to support the transformation of the TVET system in Ghana.
Prof. Danso said that the private sector played an important role in skills development, adding that the sector ensured participation in policy making and enhanced training delivery.
“The private sector plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of professionals. They provide invaluable opportunities for workplace experience learning, ensure training programmes are informed by cutting-edge innovation, and contribute to curriculum development,” he mentioned.
He criticised the current curriculum for failing to align with the country’s industrial needs, resulting in students acquiring skills that were not relevant to the job market, thereby producing educated individuals who struggle with employment.
Prof. Danso further stated that the private sector enhanced to uplift entire communities by creating job opportunities and fostering economic stability, hence the need for partnerships between the private sector and TVET.
The Senior Labour Markets Advisor of TVET, Mr Gideon Murenga, emphasised that addressing youth employment issues required the country to create jobs through industrialisation.
He said that a competent workforce, developed through comprehensive TVET programmes was crucial for achieving success and competitiveness in the global market.
“The reality is that private sector employers are shouldering hefty costs to retain students due to skills mismatch. We need to address this issue of half-baked graduates by collaborating with TVET,” he explained.
BY AGNES OWUSU