Collaborate with TVET institutions to build resilient economy – Prof. Danso

The  private sector has been urged to collab­orate effectively with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to ensure skills de­velopment in building a resilient economy.

According to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Develop­ment (AAMUSTED), Professor Humprey Danso, such a move, would provide the country with more skilled staff to ensure efficiency at the workplace.

He indicated this at a round table event for Private Sector Engagement and Partnership in TVET, organised by the Deut­sche Gesellschaft fur Internatio­nale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the Pact for Skills in  Accra yesterday.

The event, which was part of activities in commemoration of the Africa skills week, was to support the transformation of the TVET system in Ghana.

Prof. Danso said that the pri­vate sector played an important role in skills development, adding that the sector ensured partic­ipation in policy making and enhanced training delivery.

“The private sector plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of professionals. They provide invaluable opportunities for workplace experience learn­ing, ensure training programmes are informed by cutting-edge innovation, and contribute to curriculum development,” he mentioned.

He criticised the current cur­riculum for failing to align with the country’s industrial needs, resulting in students acquiring skills that were not relevant to the job market, thereby produc­ing educated individuals who struggle with employment.

Prof. Danso further stated that the private sector enhanced to uplift entire communities by creating job opportunities and fostering economic stability, hence the need for partnerships between the private sector and TVET.

The Senior Labour Markets Advisor of TVET, Mr Gide­on Murenga, emphasised that addressing youth employment issues required the country to create jobs through industriali­sation.

He said that a competent workforce, developed through comprehensive TVET pro­grammes was crucial for achiev­ing success and competitiveness in the global market.

“The reality is that private sector employers are shouldering hefty costs to retain students due to skills mismatch. We need to address this issue of half-baked graduates by collaborating with TVET,” he explained.