The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of TVET, Prof. Kingsley Nyarko, has urged all stakeholders—industry, educators, and government alike—to continue working together to make the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system demand-driven and future-focused.
Speaking under the theme “Building Demand-Driven Skills for Industry” at the official inauguration of four new Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) in Telecom, Environmental Sanitation and Waste Management, Electricals, Automation and Electronics, Media, and Entertainment, on Thursday, September 12, 2024, Prof. Kingsley Nyarko highlighted the significance of this initiative in shaping the country’s workforce and economy.
He emphasized that “the inauguration of these Sector Skills Bodies is both timely and essential as we continue our efforts to align education with the realities of the modern workplace.”
Prof. Nyarko noted that the TVET sector in Ghana has seen remarkable improvements, largely due to the government’s deliberate investments and partnerships with industry. He shared that, under the leadership of the Ministry of Education, over 60,000 students enrolled in government-run TVET institutions for the 2023/2024 academic year, a significant increase from the fewer than 20,000 students enrolled annually before 2017. This indicates that enrollment in TVET programs has grown by more than 300% during this period.
Additionally, he pointed out that the total number of enrollments in government TVET institutions has reached 157,681, thanks to government interventions such as the Free TVET initiative and the “MyTVET” campaign, which seeks to change perceptions about vocational education in Ghana. This growing interest in technical and vocational training reflects the sector’s potential to offer sustainable career paths and contribute to national development.
Prof. Nyarko also revealed the government’s plans to establish at least 32 state-of-the-art TVET institutions, with the first nine currently under construction as part of Phase I of the project. “There has also been widespread refurbishment of existing TVET institutions across the country. These institutions are equipped with modern technology that mirrors what is used in today’s industries, ensuring that our students are not only learning theory but also acquiring practical, hands-on experience. Beyond infrastructure, the Competency-Based Training (CBT) system is being fully integrated into TVET programs to ensure that training meets the specific needs of various industries,” he added.
The Minister stressed that the government cannot drive this agenda alone, underscoring the indispensable role of industry in ensuring that the skills students acquire are relevant and in demand. “The partnership between industry, academia, and government has deepened over the last few years, resulting in more meaningful and sustainable collaborations. For example, industries such as construction, automotive, and ICT have directly contributed to curriculum development and apprenticeship programs, ensuring that graduates are job-ready upon completion,” he stated.
CTVET on SSBs
The Director General of the Commission on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, noted that industry has been an integral part of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) since its inception, where master craftspeople passed on their skills and knowledge to apprentices. This approach, he said, remains central to many TVET systems, particularly those with strong apprenticeship programs and tripartite engagement in the design and delivery of TVET.
Dr. Asamoah explained that a Sector Skills Body (SSB) is an organized group representing the needs of specific industries or sectors. These bodies bring together employers, employees, and other key players within an industry to identify the skills needed for the workforce. Simply put, SSBs act as the bridge between the education system and the job market, ensuring that the skills taught in technical and vocational institutions align with industry requirements.
He emphasized that the importance of these bodies cannot be overstated. “In a world where technology is rapidly changing and new industries are emerging, it is crucial that Ghana’s education system keeps pace. We can build a system that empowers our youth with the right skills, creating a more competitive workforce and contributing to the overall development of our economy,” he noted, expressing optimism about the fruitful collaborations that will result from this initiative.
By Sampson Kumah Ifeetwube Elvis
