Skills Initiative Program (SIP) is aimed at creating job opportunities for unemployed youth in Ghana through skills acquisition in interior decoration and beads making. SIP will directly reach 60 unemployed youth from deprived communities with training in vocational and entrepreneurship skills leading to employment. As a result, these targeted youth will increase their income and savings and create job opportunities in the sector, thereby indirectly benefiting their families and economy.
While the informal nature of the construction workforce increases accessibility for disadvantaged youth, the areas of greatest need still require youth to have technical skills. With only 10% of 15 - 17 year olds in Ghana enrolled in secondary or technical education, apprenticeships account for 80 - 90% of all basic skills training in Ghana. Given these realities, creating new opportunities for youth in construction will require systems approach that addresses some of these constraints.
It is believed that the young people will improve their economic futures when provided with appropriate skills, support and opportunities. Their success depends on developing and engaging a broad network of stakeholders in the process. The program therefore aims to combine technical skills and entrepreneurship to better prepare youth to get and keep a job or run their own businesses. It is targeted at about 60 unemployed youth from deprived communities in Greater Accra between the ages of 15-28.
Increased income for 90% of youth: 1. 90% of youth with new jobs or better employment. 2. Increased savings by 90% of youth. Other anticipated impacts include: 1. Improved ability and increased number of industries that support job placement. 2. Increased number of private sector businesses/established entrepreneurs participating in construction workforce development. 3. Improved ability of partners to serve youth, recover costs and form partnerships.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
