By Francis Ntow/Ruth Abena Gyamfuaa
Accra, April 30, GNA – Stakeholders have called for strengthened support systems for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to improve school-to-work transition and reduce youth unemployment.
The call was made during a webinar on the theme “Youth Employment: Unlocking Ghana’s Potential”, where participants emphasised the need to enhance skills development, improve industry alignment and address skills mismatch.
The event was organised by the World Bank Ghana, in partnership with the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) and the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER).
Madam Linda Yaa Ampah, Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Cadling Fashions and KAD Manufacturing Limited, said a comprehensive TVET framework was critical to mobilising resources and translating skills into employment.
“The goal is to establish a system that not only trains but sustains,” she said.
Madam Ampah advocated dedicated funding for TVET to serve as start-up capital for graduates to enhance industrial productivity.
She noted that for TVET to be effective, it must go beyond traditional classroom approaches and adopt inclusive policies that strengthen vocational education.
Madam Monica Lambon-Quayefio, Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, University of Ghana, said unlocking the potential of TVET required a deliberate, well-resourced and inclusive ecosystem to prepare the youth for the modern economy.
She called for the development of a functional Labour Market Information System (LMIS), supported by private sector partnerships, job-matching services and reliable data to inform resource allocation.
Madam Lambon-Quayefio said school-to-work transition improved when young people received support before, during and after leaving school through systems linking education, employers and support services.
She advised students to take advantage of internships, apprenticeships and on-the-job training to gain practical experience and adapt to workplace environments.
Madam Lambon-Quayefio also urged educational institutions to provide pre-employment support, including mentorship in curriculum vitae preparation, job search strategies, interview skills and soft skills such as communication, teamwork and reliability.
She called for measures to address gender-related barriers, including safety concerns, mobility constraints and social norms, which contribute to higher dropout rates among females and limit access to employment opportunities.
Participants at the webinar underscored the potential of TVET to drive youth employment and economic transformation, and called for a comprehensive framework encompassing capacity building, apprenticeships and start-up financing.
GNA
By Francis Ntow
[email protected]
Edited by Kenneth Sackey