Ghana calls for stronger business partnerships to close TVET skills gap – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has called for stronger collaboration between businesses and technical and vocational training institutions, identifying industry-responsive curricula, workplace learning and improved accountability as key measures to bridge Ghana’s technical skills gap.

Speaking at a China–Africa Sub-Forum on School–Enterprise Collaboration at a TVET Conference in Tianjin, China, Dr. Apaak outlined pathways for strengthening private-sector participation in skills development and ensuring that vocational training responds to labour-market demands.

He highlighted the need to involve employers in identifying skills requirements and developing training programmes that reflect the competencies needed in the workplace.

Under the proposed approach, industry participation would extend beyond providing training placements to include curriculum development, occupational standards, assessment and certification.

Dr. Apaak’s presentation identifies industry-responsive curricula as a key pathway, stating: “Engage employers in skills identification, curriculum development and occupational standards, guided by labour-market information.”

He also highlighted the need to expand practical training opportunities to help learners acquire experience before entering the job market.

On workplace learning, Dr. recommended “Expand structured internships, industrial attachments and apprenticeships, including opportunities with SMEs, informal-sector businesses and master craft persons.”

The figures presented by the Deputy Minister show that 81.8 per cent of TVET institutions are able to secure workplace placements for learners. However, only 36 per cent report that more than 75 per cent of their learners participate in Workplace Experience Learning.

Additionally, 73 per cent of learners receive feedback from employers and workplace supervisors during their placements.

The figures highlight the importance of ensuring that workplace learning opportunities are accessible to more students and implemented consistently across the TVET system.

Beyond student placements, Dr. Apaak identified trainer development as another area requiring stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry.

His presentation recommends, “Promote industry attachments, mentorship and exchanges to strengthen teachers’ practical knowledge and industry relevance.”

Such arrangements would help trainers remain familiar with current workplace practices and ensure that the skills taught in classrooms reflect industry requirements.

Ghana continues to face challenges in strengthening collaboration between training institutions and businesses, including limited workplace placements, insufficient incentives for employers to host learners, and inadequate industry support for training equipment and consumables.

Dr. Apaak’s presentation also emphasises the need for clear responsibilities and measurable outcomes in partnerships involving government, training institutions and enterprises.

It recommends, “Define the roles of government, training institutions and enterprises, with clear learning outcomes, workplace safety and measurable results in competency attainment, completion and employment.”

The proposed measures place emphasis on ensuring that partnerships deliver tangible improvements in skills acquisition, training completion and employment outcomes.

Ghana is also expanding apprenticeship opportunities through initiatives that engage informal-sector businesses and master craft persons.

The Ghana TVET Voucher Project has supported more than 37,000 apprentices and informal-sector workers in trades including automotive repair, welding, electrical installation, construction, plumbing, furniture making and hospitality.