The Federation of Professional Trade Associations of Ghana (FEPTAG), has expressed deep concern over the government’s exclusionary approach in the rollout of its highly-publicized free apprenticeship programme.
Despite the federation’s long-standing contributions to skills development and youth empowerment across the country, it was neither consulted nor involved in the design or implementation of the initiative.
According to the leadership of FEPTAG, this oversight does not only undermine the programme’s needed impact, but also militates against its effectiveness and sustainability.
FEPTAG – the umbrella body of close to 50 trade associations of seasoned artisans, vocational professionals, master crafts-persons and their apprentices nation- wide, plays a pivotal role in setting industry standards, by safeguarding quality assurance, and development of occupational standards for the trade areas.
It offers practical training in the informal/non-formal apprenticeship, as well as, provide Workplace Experience Learning (WEL) to students of the pre-tertiary TVET institutions – with emphasis on maintaining ethical practices across various trade areas.
“We are, however, deeply disappointed by the government’s decision to proceed without engaging the key stakeholders who have been at the forefront of apprenticeship and vocational training for decades”, said the chairperson of FEPTAG, Amb. Dan Jim Selassie.
Dan Selassie noted that; “This programme, though well-intended, risks missing its mark without the insight, experience and networks that our Federation can provide.”
The FEPTAG, therefore, calls on government to urgently open a dialogue with professional trade associations, to ensure the programme’s inclusivity; that it’s well-coordinated and, aligned with industry realities.
“We are not opposed to the idea of free apprenticeship – in fact, we support it wholeheartedly,” the FEPTAG chairperson added, insisting that: “The process must be participatory, transparent and, informed by those who have been doing the groundwork for years”.
Dan Selassie, recalled a meeting between the leadership of the governing party’s Youth Wing and FEPTAG on the Free Apprenticeship programme just days to the 2024 Ghana elections – to discuss the creation of a kind of synergy for the success of the programme should the National Democratic Congress (NDC) win the elections.
The Federation urges immediate steps to be taken to integrate professional trade associations into the planning and monitoring framework of the initiative, to guarantee its credibility and long-term success.