The Ghana Skills Development Initiative (GSDI III) and the College of Technology Education (COLTEK) of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), situated on the Kumasi campus have officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and the establishment of a joint working group on April 4, 2019. The working group will focus on the development of teaching materials and a manual for in-service Competence Based Training (CBT) facilitation training.
Given that COLTEK is currently the only institution training TVET teachers at the University level, more TVET teachers are also being trained in both theoretical and practical aspect of occupation and are qualified after graduation to train TVET students at the second cycle level (i.e. Technical Institutes).
GSDI III in turn is providing capacity development for facilitators (teachers) and management staff of TVET training providers.
In order to explore options on how to institutionally anchor this support to TVET teachers in the Ghanaian system and, thus ensure alignment and sustainability, GSDI and COLTEK established contact and deepened cooperation through the signing of the MoU.
GSDI III aims at supporting TVET teacher training focused on school management and competency – based training CBT. Various partners and stakeholders affiliated with the TVET sector participated in the event by addressing the more than fifty dignitaries, guest and participants.
During his welcome address, the chair of the meeting, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni , Vice Chancellor of UEW, expressed delight of the school hosting the important event which marks the official beginning of the cooperation with the GSDI.
The Principal of COLTEK, Prof. Fredrick Kweku Sarfo, highlighted the role of COLTEK in the future development of schooling and teaching standards in the TVET sector. , Executive Director of the Council for Technical and Vocational Educational Training (COTVET); Dr. Fred K. Asamoah pointed out the important role TVET plays in advancing the agenda of state.
Dr. Fred K. Asamoah recalled the State of the Nation’s address given by President Akufo-Addo he touched on the erection of 10 state-of-the-art TVET centres in 2019.
Deputy Head of Cooperation of the Swiss Embassy in Ghana, Mr. Daniel Lauchenauer mentioned the training of teachers was key in enabling them possess the highest levels of skills whiles boosting their employability and competitiveness in the country.
He declared the importance of TVET in also meeting the demand of the private sector requiring very skilled labour which also encourages cooperation between that sector and training providers.
Representatives of GSDI III showed their contribution to skills development in six Ghanaian regions spanning more than 100 training providers and 20 different trade associations.
As defined in the MoU, GSDI and COLTEK intend to jointly carry out the following activities for capacity development of training providers (TP).
- Adopt and develop a manual for in-service CBT – delivery training for facilitators
- Training masters trainers for in-service CBT- delivery training for facilitators
- Update in-service school management training manual
- Train masters trainers for in-service school management training
By Kamal Ahmed
