In a decisive move to confront the mounting challenges of unemployment, Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, unveiled the groundbreaking Ghana Apprenticeship Programme (GAP). This collaborative initiative, funded by the Government of Ghana, the World Bank, and the German Government, is designed to modernize traditional apprenticeship systems, aligning them with the contemporary demands of the job market.
Addressing a captivated audience in Accra on March 13, 2024, under the theme “Fostering Economic Growth: Job Creation via Apprenticeship Training,” Dr. Bawumia outlined GAP’s pivotal objectives. The program aims to standardize apprenticeship approaches, link acquired skills to workforce needs, and facilitate Competency-Based Training (CBT) for around 50,000 individuals.
Highlighting the steadfast commitment of President Akufo Addo’s government since 2017, Dr. Bawumia emphasized ongoing efforts to revamp and modernize Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), positioning it as an appealing choice for the nation’s youth.
GAP’s modernization efforts take center stage, recognizing apprenticeship’s pivotal role in reducing unemployment. The program introduces formalized training providers, standardized curricula, and a robust quality assurance framework. This shift from conventional methods to a competency-based approach aims to equip apprentices with practical, industry-relevant skills.
The program’s comprehensive roadmap includes developing eligibility criteria, training Master Craft Persons (MCPs) and apprentices, assessing and certifying learners, and strategically linking skills to job opportunities. Backed by substantial funding, GAP boasts a budget of US$40 million from the World Bank and €20 million Euros from the German Development Bank.
GAP has already made a significant impact, contributing to skills development and job creation. Notably, Government TVET institutions have experienced a surge in enrollment, with 60,481 new students joining the program. This represents a substantial increase from 41,696 students in 2016 to an impressive 100,086 students in 2020.
Dr. Bawumia expressed optimism for the future, envisioning GAP as a key player in modernizing apprenticeship systems, enhancing industry adaptability, and ultimately boosting the competitiveness of the Ghanaian workforce. The launch of this groundbreaking program signifies a new chapter in Ghana’s commitment to addressing unemployment and fostering economic growth.
In his opening remarks, Nana Wereko-Ampim Opoku, Chairman of the CTEVT Board, highlighted the implementation of Competency-Based Training (CBT) as a crucial reform in the TVET sector. He emphasized the shift to a practical and hands-on approach, driven by industry-generated standards, ensuring a curriculum aligned with industry needs.
Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, the Director General of CTEVT, emphasized the transformative agenda of President Akufo-Addo’s government, adopting apprenticeship as an avenue for skills development. Stressing the demand-driven, standardized, quality assured, coordinated, and regulated nature of apprenticeship, he sees the Ghana Apprenticeship Programme as a vital step in addressing challenges within the informal apprenticeship system in Ghana.