|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Naillatu Iddrisu
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Ebi Bright, has urged young people to take advantage of opportunities that come their way, stressing that opportunities are not permanent and must be utilised effectively when presented.
According to her, many opportunities are time-bound, making it important for beneficiaries to embrace and maximise them to secure a better future.
Hon. Bright made the remarks during the presentation of tools and equipment to beneficiaries of the National Apprentice Program in Tema, an initiative aimed at equipping the youth with employable skills through vocational training.
She explained that the programme forms part of the government’s commitment to empowering the youth through skills development to enable them earn decent livelihoods in the future.
The Tema Mayor expressed excitement that the Tema Metropolis had benefitted from the initiative, noting that the programme would positively impact many young people in the area.
She disclosed that although about 16,000 people have already benefitted from the programme nationwide, government intends to expand it to cover more than 100,000 beneficiaries across the country.
Hon. Bright further advised the trainees to remain committed and disciplined throughout the training period, adding that they would receive monthly stipends to support them during their apprenticeship.
She also cautioned master craft persons against exploiting the trainees by engaging them in household chores instead of focusing on their skills development.
The MCE commended John Dramani Mahama for introducing the initiative aimed at empowering the youth through vocational and technical training.
The Greater Accra Regional Coordinator of the National Apprentice Program, Mr. Jones Klutse, said research indicates that out of every 10 children who begin school, only three make it to the tertiary level, leaving seven who drop out along the educational ladder.
He said the programme was introduced to provide opportunities for such youth to acquire employable skills and improve their livelihoods.
Mr. Klutse noted that skills training has significantly contributed to the development of many countries and therefore urged young people to see the initiative as a pathway to progress and self-reliance.
He emphasised that the programme does not require any academic qualification, encouraging more youth to take advantage of the opportunity.
About 50 trainees received free tools and equipment to support their apprenticeship training. The items distributed included sewing machines, welding tools, knitting machines and hair dryers, among others.
