Dr Martin Amoah, Head of the Department of Design and Technology, Kumasi Campus of University of Education, Winneba, has appealed to corporate bodies and philanthropists to be more supportive of skills training programmes for the nation's youth.
He noted that vocational and technical education required high cost by way of procuring specialized equipment and tools which government alone could not shoulder.
He said this in a speech read for him at the fourth In-Plant graduation ceremony of the Kumasi Vocational Training Centre (KVTC) at Suame in Kumasi.
In all, 152 artisans graduated and were awarded Grade 1 and 2 Proficiency Certificates in auto and driver mechanics, welding and fabrication, auto electrical, motor vehicle and body repairs, carpentry and catering.
The event coincided with the inauguration of a cadet corps of the Centre.
Dr Amoah raised concern about the severe constraints in skills training activities because of poor funding, which has resulted in inappropriate tools and equipment supply, scanty training materials and poor infrastructure.
This, he said, was affecting the quality of training offered by most of the vocational centres with many of the trainees passing out with inadequate skills, thereby, reducing their chances of employment on the labour market.
Mr Stephen Amponsah, Director of the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), gave the assurance that they would continue to organize such courses regularly to help upgrade the competencies of both apprentices and master craftsmen to meet world standards.
Mr Seth Daniel Oduro, Manager of the KVTC, said the Centre, established in 1973 has made significant contribution to the training of artisans.
He urged the graduates to put into practice what they had been taught.
Mr John Damptey, the Chairman for the occasion, said there was the need to focus on vocational and technical training, if Ghana was to achieve significant reduction in youth unemployment.