- Government Invests in Technical & Vocational Training
- Youth Employment Authority Partners with TVET
- Regional Maritime University Trains Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators
The Deputy CEO of the Youth Employment Authority (YEA), Alhaji Ibrahim Bashiru, has expressed concern over Ghana’s artisanal industry slipping into the hands of neighboring countries. He made this remark at the graduation ceremony of the fourth batch of forklift and mobile crane operators at the Regional Maritime University in Accra.
Alhaji Bashiru, however, was happy to note that the government is working to revitalize the artisanal space with substantial resources channeled into broadening the scope of technical and vocational education training (TVET) across the nation.
The graduation ceremony was held under the theme “Equipping African Youth with employable skills critical for sub-Regional Security and Development”. Alhaji Bashiru emphasized that TVET institutions stand as strongholds of practical knowledge, poised to rejuvenate the collapsing artisanal sector and drive economic growth.
He identified collaborations between agencies like the YEA and TVET services as part of concerted efforts to support aspiring artisans. Alhaji Bashiru proposed a partnership between the Regional Maritime University and YEA to pioneer training sessions for head porters, which would not only empower the youth but also align with the broader agenda of tackling Africa’s burgeoning youth unemployment crisis.
Ghana’s unemployment rate stands at 14.7 percent, a figure poised to escalate without proactive intervention. Alhaji Bashiru pointed out that traditional academic pursuits no longer guarantee employment; instead, the job market clamors for skilled professionals adept in fields like technology, oil and gas, and various trades.
He lauded the efforts of the Regional Maritime University for the key role they play in supplying the workforce with competent technocrats and artisans and for their pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s job landscape.
The President of the National Association of Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators Ghana (NAHEOG), Mr. Dominic Kofi Eyiah, emphasized the indispensable role of equipping youth with employable skills in a world characterized by constant change and myriad challenges amidst beckoning opportunities.
He underscored the significance of the heavy-duty equipment operation field, labeling it as a cornerstone sector that bolsters numerous industries and propels economic advancement across the continent. He challenged the new cohort of operators to recognize their pivotal role in shaping the future of Africa.
The Ag. Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, Dr. Jethro Brooks Jnr, called on member states of the University to support the training with the necessary facilities and resources to ensure the programs remain at the forefront of industry standards. He also called on industry to provide slots for industrial attachment to trainees, adding that practical experience is invaluable and will greatly enhance the competence and readiness of graduates.
