Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) in collaboration with Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) has organized a training programme for 160 Hairdressers and Dressmakers/Tailors in Asokore-Mampong and Ejisu-Juaben Municipalities. The four- week programme which was attended by four groups from the two municipalities in turns was opened on 14th November, 2016 at the New Great Hall of KsTU. The training is intended to improve upon the production Efficiencies and entrepreneurial skills of the participants. The training programme has an overarching objective of equipping Hairdressers and Dressmakers/Tailors with the necessary skills to operate and manage vibrant hairdressing or dressmaking enterprises. It was under the theme “Production Efficiency, Technology Enhancement and Entrepreneurship Training in Beauty Care and Fashion Designing”.
During the opening ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor (V.C), Prof. N.N.N Nsowah-Nuamah stated that the training programme was made possible as a result of the University’s collaboration with Rural Enterprise Programme (REP) with support from the Government of Ghana, Africa Development Bank and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
He further stated that the University has taken skills and entrepreneurial development of countrymen and women as one of its corporate social responsibilities. He said it was not the first time the University was partnering with REP to train Micro, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (S.M.E) to acquire the necessary skills. The V.C recounted that in 2009, the University with the support of REP embarked on a similar exercise by training SMEs at Goaso, Mim and Bediako all in the Brong Ahafo region
The Vice-Chancellor intimated that skills and entrepreneurial development is one of the surest vehicles through which the country can take its citizens out of poverty. In view of this, the University through Entrepreneurship Village Company is developing an Incubation Centre through which it will train nascent entrepreneurs in the areas of Informatics, Electronics, ICT and Engineering.
Finally, the C.E.O of KsTU expressed his appreciation to the collaborators who funded over 70% of the training cost and further wished the participants a successful training and indicated his optimism for a paradigm shift for better output in their operations subsequently.