Insights from the CB-VET Ghana project: labour market needs and situational analysis findings
As part of the EU Erasmus+ program, the VET Ecosystems for Employability in Ghana (CB-VET) project has taken significant steps in identifying and addressing the labour market needs within the agricultural sector. A recent Labour Market Needs Assessment (LMNA) and Situational Analysis have revealed critical insights that will guide project with the enhancement of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Ghana.
Key findings include:
- Curriculum gaps and recommendations: A strong consensus emerged around the need to update curricula in agricultural vocational institutions to include climate-smart agricultural practices, agro-food processing, and modern technologies. This is essential to ensure graduates are equipped with the skills needed for today’s agrifood sector.
- Hands-on training and industry interaction: There was a strong demand for practical, hands-on training that incorporates new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and smart farming. The inclusion of industry interaction through internships, guest lectures, and exposure to real-world applications was highlighted as a crucial factor in bridging the gap between education and employability.
- Soft skills and ICT integration: Employers emphasized the need for graduates to improve their soft skills, including communication, teamwork, and ICT literacy. These are viewed as essential for navigating modern agricultural workplaces. There were also calls for better investment in ICT infrastructure in training institutions to better prepare students for the digitized world of agriculture.
- Innovative thinking and sustainability: Stakeholders stressed the importance of fostering innovative thinking, resilience, and a focus on sustainability within students. These skills are seen as critical for driving long-term growth in the agricultural sector.
- Structured recruitment and career services: The lack of a formal electronic platform for the recruitment of TVET graduates was identified as a significant barrier to employment. Stakeholders proposed the creation of an online database for graduate recruitment, which would allow employers easier access to qualified candidates.
- Entrepreneurial training and business incubation: There was strong support for the creation of business incubation centres within TVET institutions to help graduates develop entrepreneurial skills and launch their own agribusinesses. This approach would not only boost employment but also foster innovation in Ghana’s agrifood sector.
These insights will shape the CB-VET Ghana project’s ongoing efforts to build a robust vocational education ecosystem that aligns with local industry needs, ultimately preparing graduates for gainful employment and entrepreneurial success.
The CB-VET Ghana project continues to champion the collaboration between educational institutions, industry, and government in its quest to build a sustainable, climate-smart agricultural sector. The main objective is to achieve Vocational Excellence in the climate-smart agriculture sector (production & processing), thereby ensuring high quality skills and competences that lead to quality jobs and careers, meeting the needs of an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable rural economy.
The project in a nutshell:
In the face of a changing climate, Ghana's agricultural sector is facing unprecedented challenges. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) offers a promising solution to enhance food security and environmental sustainability, but its successful implementation hinges on a skilled workforce capable of operating CSA technologies. The “VET ecosystems for employability in Ghana” project addresses this critical need by strengthening agricultural training and vocational education and training (ATVET) institutions in Ghana to capacitate the agricultural colleges with the necessary skills and knowledge for a thriving CSA sector. The project is funded by the European Union.
This project is managed by Veerle Barten, Project Consultant at MSM’s Expert Centre on Emerging Economies. The project will run from December 2023 until November 2026.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies
This institutional collaboration project is part of MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies. The department is an expert centre on sustainable private sector development in emerging and developing markets. We capacitate managers and professionals from government, private sector, NGOs, and post-secondary education in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. We offer consultancy and customized training programs, and we manage complex projects in key sectors, e.g. water, agriculture and health. For more information click here.
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