A total of 419 young men and women have graduated from the Precision Quality Internship (PQI) Programme in the Ashanti Region, with stakeholders urging stronger collaboration between industry, government and training institutions to expand employment opportunities through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The six-month programme, implemented by the Design and Technology Institute (DTI) in partnership with Accents & Art under the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works initiative, equips young people with practical technical skills, workplace experience and entrepreneurial training to enhance their employability.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held under the theme, “Smart Skills, Sustainable Communities,” Vice Principal of Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI), Mr Peter Adu-Boahen, described technical skills as essential tools for national development and sustainable community transformation.
He said the graduates had completed more than a training programme, having transitioned from learners into skilled professionals capable of driving innovation and change.
“Skills are instruments for building communities that endure, communities that thrive and communities that sustain generations,” he stated.
Mr Adu-Boahen commended the graduates for developing innovative solutions to environmental and community challenges, including projects focusing on sustainable charcoal production, waste management, sanitation and environmentally friendly production systems.
He stressed the need for policymakers, industry leaders and development partners to deepen collaboration in skills development, noting that structured internship programmes remain critical to improving youth employability.
As part of efforts to support entrepreneurship, 32 graduates received start-up kits worth US$600 each, while five young entrepreneurs were awarded seed funding of US$1,000 each to expand their businesses.
The beneficiaries will undergo further business incubation at the Precision Quality Incubation Hub, where they will receive mentorship, business coaching, enterprise development training, market access support and networking opportunities.
Since its launch in April 2025, the Precision Quality Internship Programme has trained and graduated more than 3,122 young people across Accra, Kumasi, Ho and Tamale.
According to programme organisers, more than 600 graduates have secured employment, while 280 start-up kits and 30 seed funding packages have been provided to support business creation and expansion.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Mr Richmond Addo Menetey expressed appreciation to the programme organisers, trainers, workplace supervisors and families for their support throughout the training.
He encouraged his colleagues to remain committed to excellence as they pursue careers in employment and entrepreneurship.
One of the graduates, Ms Vivian Okudzeto, who completed the upholstery programme, urged young people to take advantage of skills development opportunities, saying determination and hard work could help them succeed regardless of their background.
The ceremony also featured an exhibition of projects developed by the interns, showcasing innovations in recycling, environmental sustainability, sanitation, waste management and sustainable production practices.
