Over 10,000 trainees have graduated from the Youth Employment Agency’s (YEA) Skills Training Programme, with calls for the government to integrate these newly skilled professionals into key national projects like Agenda 111.
At a graduation ceremony held at Valley View University in Techiman, Bono East Region, YEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Kofi Agyepong, celebrated the achievements of the first cohort of 20,000 trainees who completed six months of intensive training in trades such as carpentry, beauty care, auto works, welding, and electrical work.
The programme equips youth with practical skills to foster self-employment and contribute to national development.
Agyepong emphasized the significance of the event, noting that over 10,000 talented young men and women are now ready to contribute to the nation’s growth.
He urged the government, represented by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, to employ these skilled artisans in ongoing and future public projects, particularly those under Agenda 111, which aims to build hospitals in every district.
Launched by Agyepong shortly after he took office in October 2022, the YEA’s training programme is designed to provide sustainable, long-term employment opportunities for Ghanaian youth, marking a shift from traditional short-term employment models to hands-on skills training.
During the event, Agyepong highlighted the success stories of trainees who overcame significant challenges to become skilled professionals.
He urged the graduates to uphold integrity and trust as they embark on their new careers.
To support the graduates, YEA provided each trainee with a starter pack, ensuring they have the tools to start their businesses immediately.
Agyepong also announced the launch of the GHArtisan App, a digital platform that connects Ghanaians with certified artisans, simplifying the process of hiring skilled workers.
The integration of these newly trained artisans into government projects is seen as a crucial step toward reducing unemployment and promoting economic growth.
Agyepong stressed the importance of government policies that prioritize the employment of YEA-trained artisans in district-level projects.
The event marks a new chapter for the graduates, who are now equipped to transform their lives and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s development.
Agyepong encouraged them to seize this opportunity to make their families, the government, and themselves proud.
