Ghana seeks China partnership in TVET training, technology transfer – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, says Ghana is seeking stronger cooperation with China in technical and vocational education to improve skills training, facilitate technology transfer and expand opportunities for workplace learning among young people.

He made the remarks at a China–Africa Sub-Forum on School–Enterprise Collaboration at a TVET Conference in Tianjin, China, where he outlined Ghana’s priorities for collaboration between training institutions and private-sector enterprises.

Dr. Apaak emphasised the importance of technical and vocational education in national development, stating that “TVET is critical to youth empowerment, industrial development, job creation and economic transformation.”
He added that “Training must lead to practical competencies, employment, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning.”

According to the Deputy Minister, achieving these objectives requires stronger participation from businesses in the design and delivery of vocational training.

“TVET institutions cannot develop industry-relevant skills without active private-sector participation,” he stated.

Ghana is pursuing an industry-led approach through Competency-Based Training (CBT), Sector Skills Bodies, Workplace Experience Learning, apprenticeships and partnerships with businesses.

The approach allows employers to contribute to curriculum development, workplace training, assessment, certification and the identification of skills required by industry.

As part of these reforms, 445 Competency-Based Training packages have been developed across 89 programmes, supported by 16 Sector Skills Bodies.

Workplace Experience Learning is also helping connect learners to industry through internships,
industrial attachments and apprenticeships.

Figures presented during the engagement indicate that 81.8 per cent of TVET institutions are able to secure workplace placements for learners, while 36 per cent of institutions report that more than 75 per cent of their learners participate in Workplace Experience Learning.

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

Dr. Apaak also highlighted apprenticeship programmes as an important avenue for extending vocational training to the informal economy.

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

Despite these interventions, challenges remain, including limited collaboration between industry and training institutions, insufficient incentives for employers to host learners, limited workplace placements and inadequate industry support for training equipment and consumables.

To address these challenges, Ghana is seeking stronger partnerships with China in several areas.

Dr. Apaak outlined the need for “Joint curriculum development and sharing of occupational standards,” alongside “Trainer and learner exchanges and institutional partnerships.”
He also identified opportunities for “Industrial attachments, apprenticeships and workplace training with Chinese enterprises,” as well as

“Technology transfer, access to appropriate equipment and digital learning resources.”

The proposed cooperation also includes sharing expertise in competency-based training and quality assurance to strengthen the relevance and delivery of vocational education.

Ghana is expanding training opportunities in emerging sectors such as digital technologies, renewable energy, recycling, waste management and sustainable construction to prepare young people for changing labour-market demands.

Dr. Apaak stressed that international partnerships must be tailored to the country’s skills requirements and development priorities.

“Cooperation should be reciprocal, sustainable and aligned with Ghana’s skills needs and national development priorities,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister’s remarks reflect Ghana’s broader effort to strengthen links between education and industry, ensuring that vocational training equips young people with practical skills for employment and enterprise development.

He underscored the ultimate objective of the reforms, stating, “Our goal is to move from training for certificates to training for competence, productive employment and enterprise development, empowering Africa’s youth to drive industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.”