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TRAINING AT YMCA VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE TAKORADI-GHANA

On Tuesday 15th September 2006, I gained admission to YMCA Vocational Institute to pursue a three year

GLADYS AHIATAKU
FINAL YEAR STUDENT
YMCA VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE
TAKORADI.

On Tuesday 15th September 2006, I gained admission to YMCA Vocational Institute to pursue a three year programme in catering which consist of cookery theory, hygiene, home management, nutrition and cookery practical.

I was very happy, knowing very well that YMCA is an international organisation therefore, tools and equipment to facilitate learning will not be a problem for students. Surprisingly, in my first year things were not good as expected, this was discouraging and appalling. I encountered many problems due to the absence of or inadequate tools and equipment. This made my studies difficult to understand during practical sessions. I had no problems with the theory sessions though.

Equipment used were outdated and inadequate, the uses and identification of equipment taught in the theory class could not be physically seen for proper identification this made teaching and learning abstract and difficult to understand especially during practical lessons (cookery and sewing).

Teachers complained of giving vivid explanation and steps involved in practical work when using certain tools, eg measuring tools for pastries, use of industrial oven, cake mixture, identifying the parts of sewing machine, to mention a few. Yet we the students performed poorly during our practical work and examination. This led to some of our colleagues dropping out of school.

I went for industrial attachment (internship) in my second year where I was exposed to most of the equipment. I related them to some of the things taught in class which I didn�t understand. However, I managed to learn something to share with my colleagues who did not have the opportunity to see these equipments.

Low and behold on my return to complete the programme in the third year, something tremendous happened. A supply of catering and dressmaking equipments arrived, donated by CIDA through YMCA of Greater Toronto Canada, to facilitate learning and give better understanding in the area of practical lessons.

Now the problem of visiting other schools to use their practical equipment is over.

I can now boast confidently that my being at YMCA vocational institute has been successful. After my graduation I can handle tools effectively to work efficiently and use them appropriately. This would enable me to buy the required tools to set-up my own small scale business let alone work with any industry with modern equipment for a better life.

posted onMonday, September 28, 2009