Technical and Vocational Education is Sure Bet For Development- College Principal
The Principal of the Jackson University College and Board Member of Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans, Mrs. Theodosia Jackson, has mounted a spirited advocacy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as the sure bet for national development.
To that end, she believes TVET must be a high priority for any government and therefore called for massive investment in vocational education, as it is the most effective and efficient way to address unemployment in the country.
She was speaking to Opemsuo Radio at the launch of the 2024 edition of the Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YAP) by the Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans in partnership with Lady Julia Foundation at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi on Tuesday, 28th May, 2024.
The company had adopted 300 youth in the Ashanti Region to sponsor their three year skills training programme in respective areas of interest such as plumbing, mechanics, tailoring, hairdressing, catering, among others.
The renowned educationist sadly noted that children who offer to enter the informal education sector do not enjoy any meaningful support and commitment from their parents or guardians.
This she described as an unfortunate phenomenon and called on parents to take keen interest and support their children in apprenticeship in the same manner as they would offer children in formal education sector. She says children who go into apprenticeship do not depend on the government for employment, noting that right after completion they set up their own businesses and become self-sufficient unlike university graduates.
“I am pleading with parents to pay equal attention to their children skill training. They should not abandon them but give them the needed support. If you are a parent and you have a child in the university and taking good care of them, you should also do same for the child in apprenticeship, pray for them too and encourage them”.
She continued, “Some parents once they realise that Sinapi Aba has adopted their children and ushered into apprenticeship, they do not support the child in anyway, thinking that everything is taken care of by the company and this is very unfortunate.”
Mrs. Jackson wants parents to encourage wards in apprenticeship and give all the needed support because they could be a blessing for the family.
She however urged beneficiary trainees to take advantage of the rare opportunity and secure a better future for themselves. She reminded them of the fact that it will not be that smooth and easy but with dedication, vision and perseverance, they can go through and secure a lifetime livelihood. She encouraged them to eschew all forms of deviant behaviour as truancy, laziness and pride but be obedient, humble and hardworking.
Story by George Addo
