Underfunding Stifling TVET Growth in Ashanti Region, UNICEF Study Reveals

A new study commissioned by UNICEF Ghana in partnership with the Government of Ghana has revealed that underfunding remains the single biggest barrier to the growth of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Ashanti Region.

Unlike traditional education, TVET requires sustained investment in tools, consumables, and well-equipped workshops to provide hands-on training. Yet, for years, many TVET institutions have operated with limited resources. Before the establishment of the TVET Service and the rollout of the free TVET policy, government support was largely concentrated on the 47 Technical Institutes under the Ghana Education Service (GES), which benefitted from direct budgetary allocations from the Ministry of Education.

Other TVET institutions managed by different ministries, where vocational training was not central to operations, were left with far lower levels of support. This lack of investment, the study found, has resulted in poor infrastructure, inadequate training materials, and ultimately weak learning outcomes for students.

“Without the proper equipment and facilities, TVET students are unable to acquire the practical skills that employers demand, leaving them at a disadvantage in the job market,” the report noted.

The consequences of underfunding are already visible. Many graduates struggle to transition into industry roles, as the training they receive often does not match the skillsets required by employers. This mismatch, according to the study, is exacerbated by outdated training equipment and limited exposure to modern industry standards.

Stakeholders warn that unless investment in TVET is scaled up, Ghana risks losing out on the full potential of vocational training as a driver of industrial growth, job creation, and economic transformation in regions like Ashanti where youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge.