Tamale: The Design and Technology Institute (DTI), in collaboration with Dabokpa Technical Institute in Tamale, has launched a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the region. This effort is part of a broader institutional strengthening programme designed to improve educational delivery standards.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative, which began in 2025 with funding from the Mastercard Foundation, focused on upgrading essential training facilities in disciplines such as Welding and Fabrication, Fashion, Catering, Hospitality, and Software Technology. Additionally, it integrated DTI's Precision QualityS? (PQS?) framework into the institutions' curricula. A statement released in Accra highlighted that part of this partnership included training sessions for instructors to enhance teaching quality and ensure alignment with current industry standards and labor market demands.
The collaboration also introduced the PQS? Internship Programme, which provides structured transitions for unemployed graduates into employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurship, thereby strengthening the link between skills acquisition and the workforce. However, during the implementation phase, the initiative encountered a significant barrier to participation.
The statement identified that young women, particularly mothers with young children, faced challenges in fully participating in the training. Some trainees attended practical sessions with their children, which not only raised safety concerns but also highlighted the lack of childcare support as a critical obstacle to access and program completion.
In response to this challenge, DTI and Dabokpa Technical Institute launched a gender-responsive intervention by establishing a Day Care Centre, part of the initiative known as 'A Place to Learn, A Place to Care.' This facility was officially opened to enable young mothers to fully engage in skills training programs without having to choose between education and childcare.
Madam Mariama Mahama, Principal of Dabokpa Technical Institute, described the initiative as a purposeful effort to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. She noted that the intervention had already motivated some young mothers, who had considered leaving their studies, to remain in school, thereby improving access, retention, and learner confidence.
Ms Constance Swaniker, Founder and President of DTI, emphasized that inclusive workforce development extends beyond just technical training. She highlighted the necessity of addressing systemic barriers to women's participation in TVET by creating supportive environments that facilitate opportunities and success for all learners, especially women.
She stressed that investments in quality training should be complemented with practical support systems that address the real-life challenges faced by learners. The introduction of the day care facility has already led to improved participation, productivity, and engagement within the institute, while promoting a broader shift towards gender-responsive TVET delivery.
The initiative exemplifies how focused, ecosystem-driven interventions can enhance access for underserved groups while boosting institutional performance and outcomes. Looking ahead, DTI and Dabokpa Technical Institute aim to further develop and institutionalize the model, with ongoing support from the Mastercard Foundation and collaboration with national bodies such as the Ghana Education Service, the National Service Secretariat, and the Department of Social Welfare.