3000 Youth Receive Employable Skills Plus Startup Capital from YEA

Some 3,000 plus Ghanaian youth have received employable skills and startup capital to commence business, courtesy the Youth Employment Agency (YEA).

This set of young entrepreneurs trained and given business capital is different from the first batch of 10,000 Ghanaian youth who successfully completed training in 10 various artisanal skills were graduated  on August 27 this year and immediately enrolled into the job market all done by the YEA.

This new set of 3,000 have successfully completed a two-week Rapid Skill Training program in 21 disciplines with a high demand on the job market.

While some of them underwent a Master Class in plumbing works, others had their Master Class in automobile servicing.

Some of them also has their Rapid Skills Training in disciplines such as soap and detergent making, wallpaper installation,  dressmaking (Surface Ornamentation & pattern drafting), electric fence/gate automation,  solar panel installation, GPS tracking,  innovative agriculture, manicure-pedicure-make-up, catering (includes production of local drinks and baking),  access control system installation, CCTV Installation, DSTV Installation and auto vehicle diagnostics.

The others acquired  Digital Skills Training  in the areas of  Digital & Social Media Marketing, Coding & Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI),        Drone Assembly & Operations, Phones & Laptop Repairs and Recycling of Waste Plastics.

Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, handed over sewing machines, hair dryers, baking machines, makeup kits, and 1,000 Ghana Cedis to empower these young entrepreneurs.

The Minister tasked YEA to monitor beneficiaries, ensuring they utilize these resources effectively. This initiative aims to address youth unemployment and promote economic growth in Ghana.

Background

The  YEA began its mission to empower Ghana’s youth on September 19, 2024. The Agency launched a job initiative, providing networking and marketing opportunities to young people who completed a six-month training program. This effort addressed the dire consequences of youth unemployment, threatening Ghana’s economic and security architecture.

At the event, Deputy CEO Alhaji Bashiru Ibrahim commended the beneficiaries for embracing the challenges, particularly in the Kaya training programs.

He announced that 2,328 beneficiaries had acquired unique skills in various areas.

The event also saw participation from over 30 private and public sector companies, including the Cyber Security Authority, finance companies, banks, and service companies. Impressively, 10,000 job applicants are currently under consideration for employment.

The YEA acknowledged the government’s commitment to developing technical capacities, particularly in STEM education, to address the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The agency appealed for continued support to strengthen STEM institutions and urged beneficiaries to share their skills with their communities.

Alhaji Ibrahim’s speech highlighted the importance of equipping youth with employable skills, particularly in the maritime sector, to enhance sub-regional security and drive sustainable development. This initiative demonstrates the YEA’s dedication to empowering Ghana’s youth and addressing unemployment.

As the YEA looks to the future, it plans to undertake more youth employment-related activities and seeks extended support from donor agencies, especially for women and persons with disabilities. With this life-changing initiative, the YEA is sowing the seeds of a brighter future for Ghana’s youth.