Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) to Train Artisans under Special Programme by COTVET

Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has been accredited to train and sharpen the skills of artisans who might be masters already or under apprenticeship. This will eventually formalize the operations of these artisans under the programme dubbed Ghana TVET Voucher Project (GTVP), Phase II. This project is being implemented by Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET).

 Under the programme, KsTU is to offer this training to participants for six months in each of the four areas. The various areas of the training are Garment, Automotive, Consumer Electronic as well as Welding and fabrication. This training is being offered for free. It only requires that interested participants register with their mother associations for them to get enrolled with KsTU.

The Ghana TVET Voucher Project (GTVP), Phase II is a project being funded by the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via the KfW Development Bank of German with a Ghanaian-German Financial Cooperation funding of 10.00 million Euros.

The ultimate aim of the programme is to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth based on a competitive private sector. It is actually to “Improve the access of apprentices, master crafts persons and entrepreneurs from informal and formally registered micro and small enterprises to technical and vocational further training which meets defined quality criteria”.

Speaking to the participants at the launch of the programme, the Vice Chancellor of KsTU Prof. Osei-Wusu Achaw emphasized the point that a very good opportunity has been availed to artisans whose operations fall within the areas of the training and therefore, they should make maximum use of that opportunity. He said it is often costly to get one trained. However, this kind of training was free of charge and so he encouraged the participants to tell other master artisans and apprentices to get enrolled through their associations. Already, over 120 artisans have enrolled and the programme has begun in earnest.