Preparing Ghana's Youth for Tomorrow's Job Market, a Must fo

Ghana's future hinges on how well today's young people are prepared for the demands of tomorrow's job market, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga. He made this statement at the World Youth Skills Day celebration organised by the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) under the theme, “Skills for a Shared Future”, held at the Accra City Hotel.

The National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) is one of the government's initiatives aimed at equipping young people with relevant employable skills. Mr Ayariga disclosed that although the programme targeted allocating five per cent of its slots to persons with disabilities (PWDs) last year, only 1.5 per cent of beneficiaries were PWDs. He assured participants that efforts would continue to increase their participation in future cohorts of the programme. The National Apprenticeship Programme goes beyond skills training by providing graduates with start-up tools to enable them to establish their own businesses after completing their training.

Mr Ayariga commended CTVET for its continuous efforts to equip young Ghanaians with relevant and marketable skills. He urged the youth to focus not only on obtaining TVET certificates but also on mastering practical skills while cultivating values such as diligence, punctuality, discipline and reliability. The NYA's Chief Executive Officer also encouraged young people to take advantage of government interventions such as the National Apprenticeship Programme, the Adwumawura Programme and the One Million Coders Initiative to build their skills, create employment opportunities and become productive citizens.

According to Mr Ayariga, young people must embrace the growing opportunities in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), noting that such skills offer practical pathways to self-employment and sustainable livelihoods. The National Youth Authority remains committed to youth development and empowerment, stressing that the Authority remains open to partnerships and initiatives that will expand opportunities for young people across the country.

The government's efforts to equip young people with relevant skills are a step in the right direction. With a growing number of young people entering the job market, it is essential that they are prepared with the skills required to compete in the modern economy. The success of initiatives like the National Apprenticeship Programme will depend on the ability of the government to implement its plans and provide support to young people who take advantage of these opportunities.

Source: JOY