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Twenty years of vocational training celebrated by Ghana YMCA

Celebrating 20th anniversary of YMCA Girls Vocational
Training Centre

Celebrating its 20th anniversary on 19th March 2010, the YMCA Girls Vocational Training Centre in Ghana is as relevant now as when it was first established to meet a critical need in the market.

Ghana YMCA established various vocational and technical training centres some decades back in response to the high number of young people who were unable to further their education after completing basic education. This was either through their parents’ inability to pay for their education at a higher level or their inability to meet the academic grades for the next level.

Of particular concern was the large pool of unemployed young girls. Through the support of CVJM, the YMCA Girls Vocational Training Centre was thus established in 1989 to cater for these girls. Situated in Takoradi, the Centre provides young girls in the Shama Metropolitan Assembly in the Western Region of Ghana with the opportunity to gain employable skills in catering, dressing making, batik and interior decoration.

In the past years, demand for the services of the students trained in the school has increased. In 2006, according to a tracer study conducted by the school, 85% of the students that graduated were employed by the hospitality industry. Of this number, 65% are in hotels and 20% are self-employed. A further 6% went on to further their education whilst 3% travelled outside the country.

Vera Yalley, a 26-year-old former dressmaking student who graduated in 2003, said, “I am always delighted that I made the decision to enroll in the YMCA Girls Vocational School. It offered me the opportunity to be trained with equipment that is used in the field. It offered me the chance to design and sew with an eye for fine detail. Now as I am working on my own, I get contracts to sew school uniforms for pupils and this fetches me the needed funds I require to support my younger siblings in their education.”

Naana Beduaah, a 25-year-old former catering student, said, “Barely two months after completion of the YMCA Girls Vocational School in 2007, I was offered employment with Akroma Plaza in Takoradi. This is one of the biggest hospitality facilities in the Western Region. The salary I am receiving is helping me to save towards furthering my education. I am grateful to the school for the development it has brought into my life.”

A current second-year catering student, Judith Ansah - Cudjoe, said “My heart’s desire has been to establish a bridal enterprise where I organise weddings. One of the difficulties I had was how to bake cakes. The practical training I have received so far has enabled me to develop the skills required in baking cakes. I am now confident and able to go on industrial attachment during vacation with organisations that organise weddings. I am able to bake cakes for my friends during their birthdays.”

Ghana Technical and Vocational Training Centres are all modulated under the National Vocational and Technical Institute (NVTI) of the Ministry of Education. These training centres provide training in catering, dressmaking, electronic, carpentry, draftsmanship and building construction through research, practice and development activities. This is designed to contribute to the economic and social development in the country.

By: Kwabena Nketia Addae, Development Secretary, Ghana YMCA

posted onThursday, March 18, 2010