Enhancing Ghana’s workforce through competency-based training in our technical universities

Dear His Excellency In-Coming President of Ghana,

As Ghana prepares for its next chapter of leadership, the nation stands at crossroads of immense opportunities. One of the most critical areas requiring immediate attention is our technical education system, particularly the role of technical universities in producing a skilled and competent workforce. The global economy is rapidly evolving, and Ghana must equip its youth with the practical skills necessary to thrive. Competency-Based Training (CBT) is the transformative approach that can address this urgent need.

The Role of Technical Universities in Nation-Building
Technical universities play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academia and industry. They have the potential to create a workforce capable of driving industrialization, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. However, despite their critical mandate, our technical universities face significant challenges some of which are outlined below:

1. Mismatch Between Education and Industry Needs: Graduates often lack the practical skills demanded by employers, contributing to high unemployment.

2. Outdated Curricula: Many programs focus excessively on theoretical knowledge at the expense of practical, hands-on training.

3. Weak Industry Partnerships: Collaboration between technical universities and industries remains limited, depriving students of real-world exposure.

4. Insufficient Infrastructure: Many institutions lack the tools, equipment, and facilities needed to deliver high-quality practical education.

The Promise of Competency-Based Training

Competency-Based Training is a learner-centered approach that emphasizes mastering specific skills rather than merely completing coursework. This methodology ensures that students graduate with the practical abilities required to excel in their chosen fields.

Why CBT?

i. Enhanced Employability: Graduates gain hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills, making them job-ready. CBT focuses on equipping students with practical, job ready skills rather than just theoretical knowledge. Graduates of CBT programs are immediately employable because they meet industry-specific competency standards.

ii. Industry Collaboration: Programs are co-designed with input from employers to meet real-world demands, “Industry-Relevant Training”

iii. Focus on Mastery: Students progress at their own pace, ensuring they achieve competence in every skill area.
iv. Flexibility: CBT accommodates diverse learning styles, allowing learners to excel based on their strengths. CBT accommodates diverse learning styles and paces. Whether learners are fast or slow, the focus remains on achieving mastery, making it an inclusive approach to education.

v. Adapting to Modern Work Environments: With the rise of technology and changing industry needs, CBT allows for the integration of digital tools, simulations, and real-world projects, ensuring that learners are prepared for contemporary challenges.

vi. Lifelong Learning and Upskilling: CBT supports continuous learning. Workers can return to training institutions to gain new competencies as industries evolve, fostering a culture of lifelong learning.

vii. Better Accountability: CBT is measurable and outcome-driven. Both students and institutions can track progress through clear benchmarks, ensuring accountability in training and performance.

Recommendations for Implementation

To successfully integrate CBT into Ghana’s technical universities, I propose the following actions:

1. Develop a National Competency Framework to cover all disciplines.

There will be the need to establish a standardised competency framework aligned with international benchmarks and local industry needs in all disciplines.

We also have to ensure that this framework guides curriculum design, assessments, and certification.

2. Foster Strong Industry Partnerships

Facilitate deliberate collaboration between technical universities and industries through internships, apprenticeships, and co-op programs (cooperative education program). Introduce tax incentives for companies that actively support technical education through mentorship, funding, and equipment donations.

3. Invest in Infrastructure and Technology

Modernise laboratories, workshops, and classrooms to meet CBT requirements. Provide equitable access to resources across all technical universities, particularly in underserved regions.

4. Train the Trainers

Build the capacity of lecturers and instructors through professional development programs focused on CBT methodologies. Introduce certification programs for instructors to ensure consistent quality across institutions.

5. Integrate Digital Tools

Leverage on technology to enhance CBT delivery, including virtual simulations, online assessments, and e-learning platforms.

6. Establish Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms

Set up a robust system to track the effectiveness of CBT programs, focusing on graduate employability and industry satisfaction.

A Call to Action

Your Excellency, the time to act is now. By prioritising Competency-Based Training in technical universities, you will not only empower the Ghanaian youth with the skills they need but also position Ghana as a leader in technical education in Africa. This investment will yield dividends in reduced unemployment, enhanced industrial growth, and a more self-reliant economy.

Let us work together to make technical education the backbone of Ghana’s economic transformation.

Sincerely,

Samuel Otenadu, P.E
s.otenadu@gmail.com
0265000555/0244751573

The writer is a Construction Engineer in private practice