Sunyani: Gabriel Gyamfi, the Bono Regional Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), has dismissed the perception that TVET education is reserved for the academically 'dumb'. Instead, he emphasized that TVET holds the key to addressing unemployment and advancing the nation's industrialization, urging families to encourage their children and wards to opt for TVET.
According to Ghana Web, Gyamfi highlighted that the nation's TVET education was undergoing reforms aimed at providing academic-industry opportunities for students. He made these remarks during the handover of a site for constructing an ultra-modern Climate Resilient Centre at the Nsoatre Technical and Vocational Institute (NVTI) in the Sunyani West Municipality. The project is being executed by TRACEF Construction and Engineering Limited, with a budget of GHS6.5 million, and is expected to be completed within 12 months.
The centre will focus on wood technology, fashion design, and digital skills, and will be equipped with modern facilities to provide students with practical skills that meet the demands of the emerging labor market. This initiative is part of the 'Rebuilding Youth and Women's Livelihoods through Entrepreneurship and Employment Creation' component of the Post COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP).
In June 2022, the Government of Ghana signed a five-year agreement (2022-2027) with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to implement the PSDPEP, financed through a grant facility of US$28.5 million. The project aims to contribute to Ghana's sustainable post-COVID-19 recovery in the health sector while supporting the restoration of livelihoods, income, employment opportunities, and private sector development.
Gyamfi also mentioned that the government had granted financial clearance for employing more TVET tutors this year. MacDonald Acquah, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, handed over the site on behalf of Abass Adams-Nurudeen, the Chief Executive Officer of the Social Investment Fund (SIF), to the contractor. He noted that similar projects are being undertaken at other technical institutes across different regions.
Acquah advised the contractor to strictly adhere to the approved designs, timelines, and quality standards, while also considering environmental and safety requirements. He emphasized the importance of environmental safeguards, climate change considerations, social inclusion, and gender issues, as highlighted by the AfDB.
Earlier, Alexander Sabi, the Principal of NVTI, called for support in improving the institute's infrastructure, including workshops, staff offices, washroom facilities, a dining and assembly hall, and a kitchen. Sabi noted that the institute currently has 1,169 students and appealed to stakeholders to help improve security by fencing the institute.