A new study commissioned by UNICEF Ghana and the Government of Ghana has revealed a significant mismatch between skills offered in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and those demanded by industries in the Ashanti Region, raising concerns about the future of youth employment.
The key finding of the study is a mismatch between the skills employers require and those that job seekers possess. This results in an oversupply of certain trades and a critical shortage of others.
The research, which surveyed employers, students, and training institutions, highlighted gaps across key sectors such as agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, and construction. Despite agriculture being a dominant economic activity in the region, only one out of 57 pre-tertiary TVET schools offers training in the sector, leaving agro-processing firms struggling to find skilled workers. Similarly, in ICT, a sector of rising importance, just four institutions provide relevant training.
While fashion and garment design remains the most commonly taught trade, demand for skills in green technology and advanced ICT far outweighs current supply, creating a structural imbalance in Ghana’s labour market.
The report also found major perception gaps between employers and graduates. Employers cited weak practical experience and lack of soft skills as the biggest drawbacks of TVET graduates, while many students rated themselves as well-prepared for the job market.
Infrastructure constraints are compounding the problem. Free TVET education has boosted enrolment, but inadequate facilities and overstretched resources are undermining Competency-Based Training (CBT), raising concerns about the overall quality of training.
Analysts warn that without urgent reforms, Ghana risks missing out on the benefits of its demographic dividend. “We have a growing youth population that can drive economic growth, but unless their skills are aligned with industry needs, unemployment and job insecurity will persist,” the report cautioned.
The study recommends curriculum reforms, stronger public-private partnerships, and more investment in infrastructure to bridge the skills gap. Employers also urged that soft skills training be integrated into instruction to prepare students for real workplace demands.
Stakeholders agree that unless Ghana acts swiftly to realign TVET with labour market needs, the country’s ambitions for industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable growth may stall.
