The Center for Development and Policy Advocacy (CEDEPA), has urged the government to extend the free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy to include out-of-school children. According to the organization, this move would help standardize the training provided in the informal sector, benefiting vulnerable young people across the country. Mr. Alhassan Ziblim, a research fellow and project lead at CEDEPA, made this call during CEDEPA’s stakeholder forum on inclusive TVET and apprenticeship in Ghana held in Tamale.
Addressing participants at the forum, Mr. Alhassan Ziblim emphasized the importance of expanding the free TVET policy to include out-of-school youth. The forum provided a platform for stakeholders to explore solutions to youth unemployment, with discussions centering on harmonizing policies and initiatives to promote TVET and apprenticeship programs.
The forum, held under the theme “The Role of the Government in Promoting TVET and Apprenticeship Training among Out-of-School Young People in Ghana,” was supported by Adamfo Ghana, CEDEPA’s partners. The stakeholders forum forms part of CEDEPA’s Skills Training for Street-Connected Young Girls Project, which has been providing crucial skills development opportunities for deprived young girls since 2021. Through the project, CEDEPA has trained about 100 out-of-school girls in trades such as phone repairs, satellite installation, computer skills, weaving, soap making, and the preparation of local pastries and beverages. The training is done in collaboration with the TVET Service, which certifies the trainees.
Mr. Sulemana Ishawu, the human resources officer at the TVET Service in the Northern Region, highlighted the importance of such engagements in addressing challenges facing the country’s youth. Mr. Sulemana Ishawu, emphasized that expanding the policy would address the growing issue of youth unemployment by equipping them with necessary skills for the job market. He noted that the forum provided an opportunity for key stakeholders to engage in discussions on strategies aimed at harmonizing efforts to tackle challenges surrounding youth unemployment.
“By covering out-of-school children, we will be bridging the gap between formal education and the informal sector, ultimately creating a more cohesive and efficient workforce,” Mr. Ishawu added.
CEDEPA believes that including out-of-school children in the TVET policy will not only reduce unemployment but also contribute to the national development agenda by fostering self-reliance and entrepreneurship among the youth. The organization is urging the government to take swift action on this proposal, which could have long-term positive impacts on the country’s workforce and economy.
Story by Ibrahim Angaangmeni Alhassan/zaaradio.com
