How TVET Can Support Ghana’s Youth Employment Agenda: A Strategic Shift Towards Skills for Jobs

By
Ellis Ferdinand
-
CTVET Odorgonno SHS makes it to the 2023 NSMQ Championship GHANA
Odorgonno SHS makes it to the 2023 NSMQ Championship

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | June 06 |  How TVET Can Support Ghana’s Youth Employment Agenda: A Strategic Shift Towards Skills for Jobs

 

Ghana’s youth population is growing fast, but so is unemployment. With nearly 60% of the unemployed population under 30, the country’s development hinges on transforming education to equip young people with employable skills. That’s where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) becomes not just relevant, but indispensable.

As the government deepens its commitment to transforming the TVET landscape, here’s how Ghanaian education blogger, curriculum specialist, and researcher Ellis Ferdinand explains how TVET can directly support Ghana’s youth employment agenda.

 

 1. Aligning TVET with Labour Market Needs

TVET must be demand-driven, not supply-led. That means:

  • Developing curricula linked to sectors like construction, agribusiness, green jobs, ICT, manufacturing, and tourism
  • Collaborating with industry to design competency-based training
  • Updating national occupational standards in line with 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution) skills

🗂️ Related: CTVET Releases 2023 May/June Certificate II Examination Results, 32,402 Candidates Check Online

 

 2. Expanding Access and Equity

Many youth in underserved areas, especially girls and persons with disabilities, are excluded from skills development.

  • Government must expand TVET infrastructure in rural and peri-urban areas
  • Introduce scholarships, stipends, and gender-sensitive recruitment
  • Create accessible pathways from informal apprenticeships to formal TVET qualifications

🧭 Explore: How to access TVET scholarships in Ghana

 

 3. Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship

Real employment comes from hands-on, workplace exposure.

  • Promote dual TVET systems school plus workplace
  • Incentivise businesses to take on apprentices
  • Recognise informal learning through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

 

💼 See also:  How to Access TVET Scholarships in Ghana: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2025 Applicants

 

4. Digital and Green Skills Integration

The future of work is digital and sustainable.

  • Embed basic digital literacy and coding in all TVET programs
  • Expand green skills training in areas like solar energy, sustainable construction, and climate-smart agriculture
  • Partner with EdTech firms to deliver blended learning

 

🌱 Feature:  How TVET Can Support Ghana’s Youth Employment Agenda: A Strategic Shift Towards Skills for Jobs

 

5. Strengthening the Role of CTVET

The Commission for TVET (CTVET) must be empowered to coordinate effectively.

  • Improve oversight of both public and private TVET providers
  • Maintain quality assurance through institutional accreditation and tracer studies
  • Establish strong linkages with universities and polytechnics to create progression pathways

🗃️ Insight:  Free SHS vs. TVET: Balancing Ghana’s Education Budget for Sustainable Impact

 

 6. Public-Private and Industrial Partnerships

TVET alone cannot solve youth unemployment—industry must be at the table.

  • Forge partnerships with associations like AGI, GEA, and GUTA
  • Co-fund training centres and innovation hubs
  • Develop internship-Xto-employment pipelines

 

⚙️ Read more:  Ghana’s Teacher License Inspection Sparks Controversy: Possibilities of Downsizing and Salary Cuts Raise Concerns

 

 7. National Branding and Perception Change

TVET still suffers from a perception problem. Many view it as a last resort.

  • Launch nationwide campaigns under “Skills Make Ghana Work”
  • Celebrate TVET champions and innovators
  • Mainstream TVET success stories into career guidance

 

 

🎯 Conclusion

TVET isn’t just a form of education, it’s an engine for national development. By investing in skills, Ghana can unlock productivity, drive innovation, and empower its youth to thrive in a dynamic economy.

“If we get TVET right, we’ll not just reduce unemployment—we’ll create entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and job creators,” says Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, Director General of CTVET.

 

📚 Related Resources on EducationGhana.org

 

📩 Subscribe for  TVET Updates

Join 10,000+ education stakeholders. Get weekly briefings on policy, jobs, and reforms.
👉 educationghana.org/subscribe

 

 

OTHER IMPORTANT STORIES

 

Discover more from EducationGhana

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

What's your take on this Latest Development?