Article 2009

Formalising the informal: Ghana's national apprenticeship programme

PR
Palmer, Robert
Journal of Vocational Education and Training
Journal · Vol. 61 · Issue 1 · pp. 67-83
Abstract

Since 2001 there has been a renewed government focus on skills development and its relationship with combating unemployment in Ghana. Technical and vocational education and training (hereinafter; TVET), delivered through public and private schools, vocational training institutes and informal apprenticeship training, continues to be seen as an important link to work. Rising concern over the large number of junior high school graduates that are unable to access further formal education and training has led politicians and policy makers to demand a National Apprenticeship Programme and ambitious plans are being put in place to move towards a more regulated, or formalised, informal apprenticeship system. This article examines these plans and argues that the government needs both to consider fully the ramifications of their proposed activities under the National Apprenticeship Programme, as well as learn from previous programmes in Ghana (and elsewhere) that have attempted to upgrade informal apprenticeships. © 2009 The Vocational Aspect of Education Ltd.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Apprenticeship skills development Ghana informal economy National Apprenticeship Programme

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Network for Policy Research, Amman, Jordan
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Non Formal Training A Study of the Traditional Apprenticeship System in Ghana, (2003)
2 Ghana S Experience in Apprenticeship Training and Other Skills Development Initiatives in the Informal Sector, (2000)
3 What Works in Skills Development in Informal Sector Training the Case of Ghana, (2001)
4 Skills Training Strategies to Combat Wfcl in the Urban Informal Sectorghana Component
5 Revisiting Technical and Vocational Education in Sub Saharan Africa an Update on Trends Innovations and Challenges, (2002)
6 Mid Term Evaluation and Assessment of the Oic Eed Project Skills Development and Self Employment for Non Literate and Semi Literate Youth in Kumasi Metropolis, (2007)
7 Financial Arrangements in Informal Apprenticeships Determinants and Effects Findings from Urban Ghana, (2007)
8 Debrah, Yaw A., Promoting the informal sector as a source of gainful employment in developing countries: Insights from Ghana, International Journal of Human Resource Management, 18, 6, pp. 1063-1084, (2007)
9 Evawoma-Enuku, Usiwoma, The national directorate of employment's open apprenticeship scheme in Nigeria: New wine in old wineskins?, Education and Training, 47, 4-5, pp. 325-336, (2005)
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