KsTU Establishes Committee to Strengthen Engagement with TVET Institutions
In a significant step towards enhancing technical education in the Ashanti region, Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has inaugurated a committee dedicated to developing strategies for engaging with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) second-cycle institutions. The initiative which was spearheaded by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Gabriel Dwomoh, aims at fostering stronger connections between the University and TVET schools to bridge the gap between training and employment.
The inauguration ceremony which was held at the SRC Conference Hall, had the VC, emphasising the importance of ensuring that TVET graduates remain in science and technical fields rather than veering into the non-technical careers. He noted that a significant number of TVET graduates do not pursue careers aligned with their training and such situations weaken their impact on the job market, hence, unable to contribute to the effort of reducing Ghana’s growing unemployment rate.
To address this issue, KsTU has partnered 38 TVET second-cycle institutions in the Ashanti region to enhance collaboration between these institutions and the technical universities. This initiative seeks to provide a structured training pipeline that aligns with industry expectations, ensuring that TVET graduates are well-prepared for the job market.
The newly established committee will operate under comprehensive Terms of Reference to achieve the objective. Key areas of focus include: Granting TVET students access to KsTU’s practical training facilities, including laboratories, workshops, and studios; Encouraging TVET students to participate in University’s events such as fashion shows, exhibitions, fairs, conferences, and graduation ceremonies; Organizing seminars and symposia to enhance the technological skills of TVET teachers; Exploring opportunities for TVET staff to join KsTU’s Advisory Board and contribute to curriculum development; Promoting joint research projects in science and technology between KsTU and TVET staff and also Raising awareness of KsTU’s academic programmes among TVET students.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Dwomoh stressed the need for a well-structured training system that ensures continuity from basic education through second-cycle institutions to the tertiary level
“The training of graduates follows a chain, beginning at the basic level, continuing through second-cycle institutions, and then into tertiary education. If there are gaps at any stage, they affects the quality of graduates joining the workforce. However, when curricula are properly aligned, students will be better equipped to meet industry expectations by the time they graduate,” he stated.
He also called on other technical universities across Ghana to establish similar partnerships with TVET institutions in their regions to strengthen technical education nationwide.
The Ashanti Regional Deputy Director of TVET, Daniel Amoh, commended KsTU for the initiative, emphasising its potential to equip students with relevant skills to thrive in Ghana’s competitive job market. He noted that the collaboration would play a crucial role in ensuring that technical education remains aligned with industry needs and ultimately driving economic growth.
