Accra: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has initiated the construction of an Integrated Industry Training, Entrepreneurship and Database Hub (ITAED Hub) aimed at equipping Ghanaian youth with skills in electric vehicle technology and mechatronics. The initiative is a collaborative effort with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), targeting the enhancement of practical skills development in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Paul Bosu, Director-General of CSIR, stated that the facility is designed to serve as a state-of-the-art training center focused on providing hands-on experience in engineering and digital technologies. Prof. Bosu emphasized the project's goal of creating an integrated training, entrepreneurship, and database hub for Ghana, which will include a modern high-tech lab for youth training.
He highlighted that the training programs would be tailored to young people through short-term, industry-relevant courses developed in partnership with AGI and CTVET. Participants are expected to be drawn from technical institutions and industry networks. The completion of the facility is projected within 18 to 24 months, at which point it will begin operations to train young individuals in various technical and entrepreneurial domains.
During her keynote address, Madam Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, described the ITAED Hub as a strategic measure to bridge the ongoing gap between skills training and industrial demands in the country. She referenced a recent study showing that only 24 percent of technical and vocational institutions in Ghana currently offer competency-based training, leading to a disparity between educational outcomes and industry needs.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare articulated that the ITAED Hub represents more than just a construction project; it is a commitment to empowering the nation's youth with skills essential for driving future industries. The Hub aims to provide practical and industry-aligned training in crucial areas such as automotive technology, mechatronics, and computer-aided design and manufacturing systems, including CNC and 3D printing.
Additionally, she noted that the initiative supports the government's broader industrialization agenda by fostering a skilled workforce, decreasing dependence on imported technical expertise, and encouraging local entrepreneurship in manufacturing and agro-processing sectors.
The ITAED Hub is being funded through a pound 3 million grant secured under the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) programme of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), with financial backing from the German Development Bank (KfW). The project is set to create a world-class training environment, enhancing youth employability through practical skills development, industry partnerships, and continuous professional learning programs.