Evaluation of the Development of Skills for Industry Project (DSIP) in the Ga East Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Development of Skills for Industry Project (DSIP), a structured intervention in Ghana's traditional apprenticeship system implemented by the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) in 2014. Despite the informal sector employing approximately 86% of Ghana's workforce (Aryeetey & Baah-Boateng, 2016), traditional apprenticeship models have lacked structured curricula and formalised training approaches. The research examines DSIP's impact in the Ga East Municipality through three dimensions: activities facilitating skills development, impacts on Master Craft Persons (MCPs) and apprentices, and post-programme progression of beneficiaries. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 110 respondents—100 MCPs and apprentices through questionnaires and 10 officials from COTVET and the Ghana Education Service through semi-structured interviews. Findings reveal significant positive outcomes, with 94% of MCPs reporting substantial improvements in their trades and 94% of apprentices expressing high satisfaction with apprenticeship fee waivers. The study identified gender-specific challenges, particularly vulnerability among female apprentices due to socioeconomic factors. The research contributes to understanding effective interventions in vocational training by demonstrating DSIP's success in enhancing technical competencies and entrepreneurial capabilities. Recommendations include integrating reproductive health education into future programmes and developing land banks for trades requiring substantial workspace. This research highlights vocational training's potential as an economic empowerment mechanism within Ghana's informal sector, with implications for policy development in technical and vocational education systems across West Africa.