Together with the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), who coordinates technical and vocational education and training in Ghana, the Ghana Skills Development Initiative ( GSDI) developed and is piloting the cooperative apprenticeship program for five trades (Cosmetology, Garment, Electronics, Welding and Automotive). Following competency based national qualification standards (Proficiency 1 and 2) piloting takes place in 3 regions, namely Greater Accra, Volta and Northern Region. The new training approach needs to introduce the new function and responsibilities of the key partners for the cooperative apprenticeship training (Trade Associations, Master Craft Persons and Training Providers).
Therefore, GSDI supports capacity development measures, has developed instruments for the implementation and strengthen stakeholders through training on CBT and introduction of the CBT based tools like Occupational Standards, Unit Specifications, Learning Material, Workplace Guidelines for Master Craftspersons and Apprentice Logbook. As part of initial activities to start the cooperative apprenticeship training, GSDI in collaboration with COTVET has organized a number of workshops for participating Master Craftpersons (MCP) registered at Trade Association and Teachers/Instructors from the Vocational Training Institutions.
The objectives of the workshops were to enable participants to develop an understanding of:
- the outlines of TVET Reform in Ghana
- the concept of Competency Based Training (CBT)
- the objectives of the GSDI project
- the cooperation between stakeholders involved in GSDI and their duties and responsibilities
- and to get practical training in specific trade areas.
A team of GSDI project advisors (Gladys Quarshie, Robert Danful, Wanda Moennig) facilitated the workshops, supported by GIZ Development Advisors (Dieter Röhrig, Anna Straub, Joachim Buhr), GSDI Regional Coordinators (Divine Kpobee and Dujin Laribick) and resource persons from trade areas such as Mrs. Elizabeth Tandoh for Garment, Mr. Pascal Danyo for Electronics, Mr. Robert Danful for Welding.
The first two times, 2-days training workshop took place from the 19th-22nd August 2014, for the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association (GNTDA) Tamale branch. The program was held at Dabokpa Technical Institute (DTI) and Tamale Vocational Training Institute (TVTI). The workshop was attended by forty-four (44) participants made up of forty (40) Master Craftspersons of GNTDA and four (4) teachers from DTI and TVTI.
The second two times, 2-days training workshop for Electronics Master Craftspersons of the Ghana Electronics Servicing Technicians Association (GESTA) took place at Ho Polytechnic and St. Theresa’s Center for the Physically Challenged, Abor in the Volta Region. The Ho workshop which took place from September 16th – 17th, 2014 was attended by 13 Electronics MCPs and 6 teachers whilst 16 MCPs and 5 teachers participated in the Abor workshop held on 18th – 19th September, 2014.
The third workshop was attended by Master Craftspersons from Welders and Pipe Fitters Association of Ghana (WAPAG) and Welding Instructors from Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) and Tema Technical Institute (TTI). Thirty (30) MCPs and five (5) teachers attended the workshop which took place at Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) from 24th to 26th September, 2014.
In total, ninety-nine (99) Master Craftspersons and twenty teachers from three trades have been equipped with skills and competencies.
All participants were highly motivated and waiting eagerly to start the cooperative apprenticeship program. These trainings were a good opportunity for the two parties (Master Craftspersons and ‘Teachers): to get to know each other and to start together the planning of the cooperative apprenticeship training.
