EDUCATION MINISTER INAUGURATES SECTOR SKILLS BODIES SECRETARIAT
The Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) has inaugurated the Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) Secretariat at the Head Office of the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) in Accra.
The secretariat, financed by the Ghana Skills Development Initiative III (GSDI), is expected to serve as an office facility for the SSBs to conveniently conduct their activities.
Speaking at the event the Minister for Education Hon. Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, who was the Guest of Honour, noted that he is excited to inaugurate such a body and is hopeful they would bring their expertise on board to help in the development of the youth.
He said¸ “the establishment of sector skills bodies is an essential vehicle that brings together relevant private sector industries, industry professional bodies, relevant government institutions and education and training institutions together to explore and address the present and future workforce needs of industry. This is indeed one of the surest ways by which we can all together tackle the skills mismatch challenges between what is needed in industry and what is being supplied by the training institutions.”
Swiss Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Philip Stalder, in his short address noted that he is pleased with the setting up of the Secretariat and is very optimistic that Ghana will benefit fully from Technical and Vocational training through the establishment of these Skills Bodies.
GIZ Country Director Regina Bauerochse Barbosa, said GIZ was pleased to partner the Commission on various projects including the construction of the SSBs secretariat, to enhance the face of TVET in Ghana.
She added that the establishment of the SSBs was an essential step towards labour market demand-driven, competency-based training and applauded the Government of Ghana for the “bold steps it is taking to restructure and harmonise the technical and vocational education training landscape in the country.”
“The Ghana Skills Development Initiative implemented by GIZ will continue to support capacity building measures to the Sector Skills Bodies to enable them to fulfil their mandate, she said.”
The Ag. Director General of CTVET Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah said that it was paramount for industry to be at the centre of skills development to provide the right environment for the creation of employment opportunities.
“I am proud that the Ministry for Education through CTVET is ensuring that industry leads the way in terms of skills training through the setting up of Sector Skills Bodies; to focus on the exploration of business opportunities, innovation and capacity needs within identified sectors of the economy.
It is our sincere hope that through your work, we will find practical solutions to the challenge of skills mismatch and be adequately prepared for future skills needs,” he said.
He also commended International Labour Organization (ILO), GIZ, Konrad Adeneur Stiftung (KAS), AHK, Ford Foundation, SECO/ Switzerland Government, and European Union for joining forces and succeeding in making the setting up of the SSBs a reality.
Eight (8) newly established Sector Skill Bodies (SSBs) were also inaugurated at the event. They are: Pharmaceuticals, Automotive, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Textiles Garment & Apparel, Healthcare, ICT, Logistics & Transportation.
Background of SSBs
As part of government’s TVET transformation strategy to improve upon the governance and management of TVET, 22 Sector Skills Bodies are being established by the Ministry of Education through CTVET.
Sector skills bodies are a group of related industries that come together under a common structure to drive growth and competitiveness across the sector.
They focus on exploration of business opportunities, innovation and capacity needs within the sectors.
