Apprenticeship programme to create direct routes into decent work — Dr Apaak

The National Apprenticeship Programme is designed to create direct pathways into decent work and self-employment for young Ghanaians, Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has said.

Addressing a Canada–Ghana Workforce Development and Skills Forum held in Accra, he outlined the government’s strategy for tackling youth unemployment through skills-based education.

He noted that hundreds of thousands of young people entered Ghana’s labour market each year, but many remained unemployed or underemployed because their training was not matched to opportunity.

“Too many remain unemployed or underemployed not because they lack potential, but because opportunity has not met preparation,” he said.

Bridging gap

Dr Apaak explained that the apprenticeship initiative, implemented with the National Youth Authority (NYA), the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) and the Ghana TVET Service, was structured to bridge that gap.

According to him, the programme combined practical skills training with industry exposure and post-training support.

The forum

He stressed that the apprenticeship scheme is part of a broader shift to place Technical and Vocational Education and Training at the centre of Ghana’s economic strategy, linking education directly to jobs, productivity and income generation.

“Training must lead to productivity. Certification must lead to employability and education must lead to income,” Dr Apaak said, underscoring the outcomes the programme was expected to deliver.

The Deputy Minister added that the government was also strengthening career guidance systems across the country to help young people make informed choices about skills training and employment pathways.

In addition, access to start-up kits and tailored financing was being expanded to support graduates who choose entrepreneurship.

Dr Apaak said changing perceptions around TVET remained critical to the success of the apprenticeship programme, noting that skills training must be seen as a respected and aspirational pathway.

“TVET must not be seen as a last resort. It must be recognised as a respected, aspirational and globally competitive pathway,” he said.

He further called for stronger international partnerships, particularly with Canada, to support apprenticeship delivery, instructor training and workplace-based learning, stating that “Ghana cannot and does not seek to do this alone.”

Action-driven workforce

For her part, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Myriam Montrat, pledged support for bold, action-driven workforce partnerships with Ghana as both countries looked to deepen collaboration in skills development.

She said the forum was not meant to dwell on past achievements but to focus squarely on future action.

“Today is not just about celebrating what has been done. It is about imagining and building what comes next,” Ms Montrat stated.