…as it unveils latest programme
The African Centre for Technical Training (ACTT) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the critical technical skills gap for industries, which it reckons will yield positive economic returns. Seventy-five percent of the curricula of Ghana’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions is outdated, a skills gap analysis between 2018 and 2022 has revealed.
It is in line with this that ACTT, a technical and vocational skills training and development institute in Ghana, has introduced several skills-based programmes among others to address issues of skills-mismatch between training institutions and industry.
Speaking at the initiative’s inauguration at the Adenta Campus in Accra, dubbed ‘Introduction to the Plumbing Systems Design Programme’, the Founder & President of ACTT, Penelope Brooke Thompson, asserted that ACTT’s primary mission is to address the critical technical skills gap within various industries.
This, she adds, is achieved through the provision of an extensive range of high-quality technical and vocational training programmes, artisan certification, mentorship initiatives, and access to invaluable job placement opportunities.
The Plumbing Systems Design Programme is a standout offering, combining comprehensive training in soft skills and theoretical foundations with extensive hands-on experience gained through workshop training and apprenticeships.
Further, she shed on the institution’s transformative journey, its overarching vision and the ground-breaking Plumbing Systems Design Programme. The facility encompasses an ultra-modern plumbing workshop, lecture hall, computer lab, library, health centre, cafeteria, auditorium and a conference room.
Richard Appiah Otoo, Chief Operating Officer at Ghana Water Company Limited, expressed his endorsement by stating: “For me as an Engineer and a practitioner in water supply engineering for the past two decades in Ghana and Africa at large, the challenge has always been sourcing highly skilled artisans for project execution.
“Having also studied in Germany, I am familiar with the two-tier track system for theoretical education and apprenticeships that has produced exemplary German craftsmanship. I believe so much in the ACTT vision, which is very timely in addressing this skills gap in Ghana.”
Addressing the gathering, Akosua Manu – Deputy CEO of the National Youth Authority (NYA), extended her support for ACTT. She remarked: “What was striking to me is the fact that Penelope pointed out that Technical and Vocational Education and Training seems to be a pathway for people who seem to not do too well in school. But clearly, she is an advocate for excellence and we need to highlight the importance of people’s learning skills. I think what she has done here is incredibly inspiring, and I believe that we are going to see more from this institute”.
The occasion saw the convergence of key stakeholders from education, industry and development organisations, including renowned entities such as BOSCH, GIZ, CAMFED, the German Embassy and Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA).
