The Director General of the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service, Mawusi Nudekor Awity, has expressed strong confidence that Ghana is on track to becoming a leading TVET hub and a competitive global player within West Africa.

She based this statement on the transformative period for technical and vocational education witnessed under the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration, which had made TVET the preferred choice for the youth in Ghana. This is also due to significant developments and increasing public and private sector engagement.

She made these comments during a capacity-building workshop for TVET Regional Directors and Principals, which also saw the launch of the Ghana TVET Scheme of Service and the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions (COPTI) at the Accra Technical Training Centre yesterday. The workshop was held under the theme “Transforming TVET – From Idea to Action.”

The Director General highlighted several indicators demonstrating Ghana’s commitment to enhancing its TVET sector. She pointed out that all 34 erstwhile NVTI institutions had been upgraded, alongside the construction of new workshops for the Technical Universities and almost all Technical Institutes, which are now equipped with modernized and industry-standard equipment.

She revealed that upgrades were underway, involving the expansion of TVET classrooms and the integration of modern facilities to better serve students and meet industry standards.

She noted that the expansion efforts extended beyond public institutions. She disclosed that private TVET schools had shown growing interest in aligning with the national framework.

She said several private institutions had formally requested Ghana TVET to oversee their operations, signaling a shift towards standardized, government-regulated training. She added that traditional leaders had contributed to this cause by allocating large tracts of land for the construction of new TVET facilities.

She said that, in 2023, the number of students enrolled in TVET programmes surged to approximately 61,000, a significant increase from previous years. According to her, this growth is attributed to the introduction of free TVET education, which had made technical and vocational training accessible to a broader segment of the population.

“In just two to three years, enrollment has tripled from earlier figures, showcasing a rapid expansion and heightened awareness of the importance of TVET,” she stressed.

She revealed that the government had completed the implementation of the first five-year strategic plan (2018-2022) and was developing a TVET policy and the next five-year strategic plan (2025-2029).

“Given the current momentum and the strategic investments being made, I firmly believe that in the next five years, Ghana will be recognized as a leading TVET hub in West Africa,” she reiterated.

She believes Ghana is changing negative perceptions about TVET, increasing enrollment in technical and vocational institutions, inspiring world-class excellence in skills development, and introducing the youth to a variety of skilled careers.

For his part, Mr. David Prah, Deputy Director in Charge of Operations at GTVET, explained that the launch of the new ‘scheme of service’ was crucial for guiding the operations of GTVET.

“It establishes a structured framework with clearly defined grades, competencies, and qualifications. This codified system ensures that roles within GTVET are aligned with the appropriate skills and qualifications, improving both management and career development opportunities for staff,” he explained.

He said another significant aspect of the Scheme of Service is the migration of all technical, vocational, and training institution staff into the GTVET HR Management System. “This migration aims to streamline administrative processes and attract skilled professionals to the TVET sector, thereby enhancing the overall quality of skill development programs,” he added.

He further emphasised the importance of the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions (COPTI). With approximately 266 GTVET institutions now operational, he said, COPTI provides a vital platform for institutional heads and principals to collaborate and discuss strategies for effective skill development.

He stressed that COPTI would facilitate the exchange of ideas and the implementation of high-quality, relevant training programs to benefit Ghanaian youth.