Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has been accredited to train and hone the skills of master artisans in the areas within the construction industry. This will ultimately help to formalise the operations of these artisans under the programme dubbed “Professionalisation of Artisans (ProfArts) Project”.
The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), Vodafone Ghana Limited, Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG) and the Bosch have established the Professionalisation of Artisans Project (ProfArts) which aims at professionalising artisans by providing them with the required training, certification, equip them with tools and finally, promote them so that their services will be readily accessible. It will also enhance their chances of getting regular job.
Under the programme, KsTU is to offer this training to participants from July to November, 2021 in each of the nine areas. The various trade areas of the training are Electrical Installation, Glazing, Masonry, Metal Work /Welding, Painting, Plumbing, Steel Bending, Roofing and Tiling. It only requires that interested participants register with their mother associations for them to get enrolled with GIZ for these registered artisans to be trained at KsTU.
By the end of the programme, it is expected to transform artisans in the construction industry into a viable, professional, well-resourced and capable work force. This is expected to transform their economic wellbeing as well as improving the consistency and quality of their productivity.
Speaking to the participants at the programme, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of KsTU Ing. Prof. Osei-Wusu Achaw emphasized the point that a very good opportunity has been availed to the artisans whose operations fall within the areas of the training and therefore, they should make maximum use of that opportunity.
He said although, most artisans were very competent in their areas of specialisation, they lacked the certificates to show their level of knowledge and that according to him, had robbed them of better opportunities. According to the VC, the objective of the programme was to provide special hands-on training for the artisans.
The Director of the Institute of Research Innovation and Development (IRID) Dr. Julius Ahiakpor underscored the need for the artisans to take advantage of the opportunity availed to them to become real professionals. On his part, Rev. Dr. Timothy Crenstil the Head for the Centre for Technology Transfer and Skills Development (CTTSD) advised the participants to take the training seriously as it has the potential to turn their careers around in a positive manner.
Picture: The Vice-Chancellor giving his opening address at the training.