Three programme advisory committees (PACs) comprising academia and industry have been inaugurated to produce industry-ready students in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector with the support of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
This initiative is part of a partnership by the two bodies aimed at providing relevant training opportunities that will equip students with fourth industrial revolution (4IR) tools and skills in the TVET field, so as to bridge skills gaps in the Ghanaian job market and West African sub-region.
These PACs will create a spectrum through which DTI can tap into the industry’s expertise to improve curriculum development and increase the employability of learners enrolled in the institute’s Welding & Fabrication, Design Innovation, and Entrepreneurship programmes.
The Founder and CEO of DTI (the Design & Technology Institute), Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, in launching the committees emphasised their importance in positioning DTI as an acknowledged centre of excellence for TVET training in Ghana.
She stated that the establishment of industry-academia PACs by DTI is the first of its kind in Ghana by a TVET institution, and bridges the industry-academia divide to ensure trainees are abreast with contemporary industry trends to make them ready for the world of work.
The committees will advise, advocate and assist DTI in the development of experiential education for learners that aligns with industry and market needs. They will focus on curriculum development, ensure quality standards, enhance the student experience and improve employment opportunities for learners, she stressed.
Membership of the first committee, which is the Solutions Programme Advisory Committee, includes D. Abigail Mercy Opong Tetteh – Assistant Head-DTI; Isaac Tetteh – Head of Welding and Fabrication Department; Philip Adu Takyi – Solutions Facilitator; Solomon Kattah – Expert in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and quality assurance/control.
Others are Simon Acquah – an Expert in Standards and Conformity Assessment; Zennith Edzeamah George – an expert in Welding and Fabrication; Francis Eshun – Strategic Planning and Fund Raising; and Jesse Agbenyega – Management Professional.
The Design Innovation Advisory Committee comprises Martin Dartey – Academics; Sammie Agyepong – Multimedia and Brand Consultant; Bernard Sokpe – Brand marketing Consultant; Tony Tometey – Professional Set Designer; Ayerkie Nanor – TV Producer; Nicholas Korblah Tali – Product Development; Paul Asiedu – Mechanical Engineer; and Steven Annang Botchway – NVTI Curriculum Development.
Finally, Edward Boateng, Andrews Cudjoe, Charles Amonoo, Daisy Mina Antwi, Paul Essiedu, and Angela Asifo will serve on the Entrepreneurship Programme Advisory Committee.
Ms. Swaniker maintained that DTI will ensure learners are provided with relevant skills and knowledge to meet the needs of industry and the market.
“The launch of advisory committees will ensure that the right standards and tools are used in preparing our learners to be employable. As an institution that is championing precision quality to accelerate national development, we will work with industry to ensure that our curriculum is industry-driven to set our learners apart in the job market,” Ms. Swaniker said.
IFC expert, Peter P. Constantinou PhD, on his part reiterated the PACs’ importance in curriculum development and providing training, saying: “At the heart of all the work that DTI does is to put students first, and their success as what drives them. Working with industry-led advisory bodies ensures that the curriculum is relevant for current and future jobs.”
Mr. Paul Asiedu, an engineer and member of the Design Innovation committee, commended DTI for introducing the PACs to bridge the gap between industry and academia.
He admonished members of the committees to be committed and give of their best to train the younger generation.
