Takoradi, Jul 03, GNA – The first batch of 45 youth trained under the Skills Training and Employment Placement programme (STEP) has graduated at Takoradi.
The group who underwent training in soap making, food processing, hairdressing, and garment making started their training in November 2003.
Dr. Angela Ofori-Atta, Deputy Minister of Manpower Development and Employment, said the training was a short-term strategy designed to equip the unemployed youth with skills for job placements. She said since the inception of the programme, 12,174 unemployed youths have been trained in various trades.
Dr. Ofori-Atta said the Ministry in collaboration with some partners would develop appropriate policies to stimulate industrial establishments and thereby create more job opportunities for the unemployed.
The Deputy Minister said the initial loan of five billion cedis would be set aside and used as micro finance to support those who would need initial capital.
Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister, said various institutions were given the mandate to train the unemployed in food processing among others but only a few could meet the expected results. She appealed to the youth to let the zeal they demonstrated during the training to reflect in their work.
Madam Horner-Sam urged them to remember that the training was meant to make life bearable for them and urged them to impart their skills to others.
The trainees were presented with certificates.
Source: GhanaWeb
