NAP to Bridge Skills Gap and Boost Jobs – Dr. Apaak
By: Nana Kwasi Roka
Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has described the newly launched National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) as a game-changer in Ghana’s quest to equip its youth with practical, employable skills.
Speaking at the matriculation and induction ceremony of the programme at the Jubilee Park in Tamale on Saturday, Dr. Apaak said the initiative was a critical part of government’s education reforms aimed at aligning learning with the demands of the job market.
“The National Apprenticeship Programme is a cornerstone of this government’s broader education reforms, designed to bridge the gap between traditional education and the practical skills demanded by our economy,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister explained that while Ghana’s informal sector remains the backbone of the economy, many young people in that space lack certification and structured training. NAP, he noted, seeks to transform those skills into recognized qualifications that will enhance employability, competitiveness and entrepreneurship.
Delivered through a competency-based curriculum regulated by the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), the programme covers nine national priority trades including construction, ICT, automotive repair, hospitality, agriculture and renewable energy. Successful apprentices will graduate with National Proficiency certificates recognized both in Ghana and across the ECOWAS region.
Dr. Apaak stressed that beyond creating jobs, the programme is an investment in sustainable livelihoods. “A certified artisan commands a higher fee, secures more contracts and gains access to financial services and government contracts. This is about economic empowerment, poverty reduction and building resilient communities,” he said.
He commended the National Youth Authority (NYA) and CTVET for their collaboration in implementing the programme, describing it as vital to ensuring quality, grassroots participation and formal recognition of skills.
Encouraging the participants to take full advantage of the opportunity, Dr. Apaak urged apprentices to aspire to build successful careers, while calling on master craftspersons and trade associations to fully support the initiative.
“With this programme, we are inducting the next generation of master electricians, world-class fashion designers, innovative construction engineers and culinary experts. You are the future CEOs, employers and skilled workforce that will shape the destiny of our nation,” he declared.
