Accra: Eighteen young Ghanaians have begun structured apprenticeships at Kantanka Automobile Company Limited, marking the start of a new skills pilot programme launched by the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) in partnership with Kantanka.
According to Ghana Web, the initiative is backed by the International Labour Organization's Recommendation 208, which aims to provide apprentices with training, pay, protection, and certification. Speaking at the launch, Zakaria Sulemana, the Director General of CTVET, highlighted that the programme represents a shift from informal trade learning to structured, globally recognised training. He emphasised that "ILO 208 gives us a global framework. It means structured learning, agreements, pay, and qualifications that are recognised."
Frank Kwesi Adetor, the programme coordinator, mentioned that the automotive sector was chosen first due to its potential for jobs, innovation, and industrial growth. He further added that the pilot would expand to the garments and textiles sector later this year, indicating a broader scope for the programme's impact.
Francis Kojo Kodoji, the General Manager of Kantanka, expressed the company's view of the initiative as more than just filling vacancies. He stated that the move aims to empower the youth and bridge Ghana's skills gap, suggesting a long-term vision for sustainable industrial growth. The event, themed 'Driving Skills, Empowering Youth, Building the Future,' underscores the programme's goal of aligning skill development with future economic needs.