Gov’t to Enrol 100,000 in National Apprenticeship ($300m Skills Boost Targets Jobs, Inclusion!)
George Opare Addo, the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, said that the government will enroll 100,000 young people in the National Apprenticeship Program (NAP) this year to give them skills that will help them get jobs and start their own businesses. The program gave out 10,000 apprenticeships last year. It teaches people how to work in fields like agriculture, ICT, the arts, hospitality, personal care, and mechanical trades. It also gives them tools like sewing machines, hair dryers, toolboxes, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Complementary initiatives provide certification, extra skills, and job placement opportunities. In 2025, $300 million will be set aside to pay for training and stipends. The National Youth Authority, which is run by CEO Osman Abdulai Ayariga, stressed the need for verification to stop ghost beneficiaries and make sure payments are made. The program also aims to include people with disabilities and other marginalized groups. More than 235,000 young people have applied, and 14,335 have already been accepted. Plans for expansion will allow for more applicants, and master craftsmen will guide them to make sure they get good training and can make a living.
