The Department of Vocational and Technical Education (VOTEC) has launched its maiden Skills Training Workshop to mark the commemoration of the World Youth Skills Day. Globally, the World Youth Skills Day, which is celebrated every July 15 by the United Nations, was marked on the theme “Skills Development to Improve Youth Employment”. Locally, VOTEC observed the World Youth Skills Day on the theme “Promoting Skills Acquisition.” The United Nations commemorates the Day to map out strategies to ensure the provision of decent work to support young people in the labour market through training and skills development towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. It is against this backdrop that VOTEC is organising a three-week training Workshop to equip participants with the needed skills for self employment. Participants of the training will be equipped with skills in sugar craft, macramé, food presentation techniques and, advanced batik and tie-dye. Addressing the participants, the Head of the Department, Dr. (Mrs.) Christiana Boateng, said that the purpose of the workshop was to expose the youth to several skills that would give them gainful employment to enhance their standard of living. She said that the workshop was open to the general public regardless of one’s academic status. “…. For this training, we do not require any strict entry grades. So far as you can read, write and follow instructions, everybody is welcome,” Dr. Boateng added. She urged the participants to be dutiful throughout the training workshop in other to achieve the purpose of their participation. The Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology, Prof. Joseph K. Mintah, advised the participants to take the workshop seriously in order to enhance their skills in their chosen fields. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, who graced the occasion, said because of the quest for academic labelling, technical universities had deviated from their mandatory skills development component and noted the action had created a challenge for the nation. He noted that the University of Cape Coast “prides itself in terms of intellectual development, attitude and skills”. Prof. Oduro said VOTEC through the workshop was bringing the University close to the people, so that the theory the UCC delivers would be translated into practice, adding that” the practice hovers around skills”. He lauded the leadership of VOTEC for the initiative and encouraged the participants to develop their skills through the workshop.
