National Apprenticeship Programme to boost artisans’ income, status – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has assured Ghanaian youth that the newly launched National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) will elevate the income and social standing of artisans through formal certification and structured training.

Delivering remarks at the matriculation and induction ceremony of the programme at Jubilee Park in Tamale, Dr. Apaak said the NAP is designed to transform informal apprenticeship training into a dignified and prosperous career pathway.

“By formalizing your training, we are increasing your future earning potential. A certified artisan commands a higher fee, secures more contracts, and gains access to formal financial services and government contracts. This is about economic empowerment, poverty reduction, and building resilient communities from the ground up,” he stated.

The programme is anchored on a competency-based curriculum developed by the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) and will provide apprentices with training across nine national priority areas, including construction, ICT, automotive repair, hospitality, agriculture, personal services, and renewable energy.

Graduates will receive National Proficiency certificates, which are recognized across Ghana and the ECOWAS region.

Dr. Apaak stressed that the NAP addresses a critical gap in Ghana’s informal sector, where thousands of young people gain skills but lack the certification to secure better opportunities.

The programme, he said, bridges this gap by combining grassroots training with formal recognition, ensuring apprentices are competitive in both local and regional markets.

He commended the National Youth Authority (NYA) for its leadership in rolling out the initiative, highlighting its ability to mobilize participants at the grassroots level. He also praised CTVET for ensuring quality assurance, accreditation of master craftspersons, and standardization of training across the country.

To the apprentices, Dr. Apaak described their enrollment as the start of a transformative journey: “You are the future CEOs of your own enterprises, the employers who will hire others, and the skilled workforce that will build the infrastructure of our nation.”

The Deputy Minister called on master craftspersons, training providers, and trade associations to embrace the programme fully, noting that their collaboration was vital to its success and sustainability.