A delegation of high-ranking officials from the European Union, led by the Acting Head of the EU Delegation in Ghana, Mr Paolo Salvia, visited 2nd Image International on 2 December 2017. The school is a private cosmetology and garment training centre supported under the Ghana Skills Development Initiative (GSDI) III project.
The European Union supports GSDI III through the Ghana Employment and Social Protection (GESP) with 7 million EUR. The German contribution to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Ghana through the Programme for Sustainable Economic Development (PSED) amounts to more than EUR 5.5 million. GSDI seeks to improve the quality of the traditional apprenticeship system to enhance skills andqualification.
Discussing with master craftspersons and apprentices from the informal sector, Mr Salvia pledged the continuous joint support of the EU and Germany to the development and growth of TVET in Ghana: “The informal sector generates more than 80% of employment inGhana and the EU is committed to developing skills and competencies among Ghanaian youth. This is precisely the objective of the GSDI project which seeks to improve the quality of the traditional apprenticeship system", the Acting Head of the EU Delegation said.
Currently, 60 master craftspersons in cosmetology and garment are receiving technical training at 2nd Image International, funded by German Financial Cooperation through the Ghana TVET Voucher Programme, to enable them train their apprentices at the workplace. The project also trains garment and cosmetology trade associations in entrepreneurship, financial management or quality assurance.
