Mr. Stephen B. Amponsah, Director of the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), said in Accra on Monday that if the country was to develop there was the need to change the mindset of the people towards technical education and encourage the youth to use the corridors of the garages to upgrade their skills.
He said technical and vocational training serve as the master key to unravelling the needed expertise from qualified technical human resource to move the nation�s development aspirations forward.
Mr. Amponsah said this when he signed a memorandum of understanding between NVTI and Fit Firm Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization with an outreach programme of developing the technical skills and capabilities of human resource in vehicle maintenance.
According to the Director, there were about 37 NVTI centres and 467 private centres in the country, adding that a lot needed to be done to train master craftsmen to serve as trainers of their apprentices to measure up to international standards.
He said NVTI and Fit Foundation in addition to 20 other organizations had signed agreements to organise workshops to give a facelift to the people working in garages such as hairdressing, electronics.
Ms Monica Martinson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fit Firm Foundation, said after a visit to about 200 firms in Accra and Tema, it was realised that most garage apprentices lacked the technical know-how, hence the need for their training to improve their skills.
She said through advocacy the Foundation would open up the sector to attract investment in businesses such as education, health, fire fighting, insurance, finance, telecommunication, road safety, building, supply of auto diagnostic equipment, and inputs for auto repair.
Ms Martinson said the mechanics would be encouraged to join the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, adding that there was the need for the re-introduction of authorised dealership between the major garages and qualified mechanics, and that this should be included in the National Youth Employment Programme.
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