Over 200 youth gain technical and vocational skills at Dabokpa Technical Institute

More than 200 young people in the Northern Region have successfully completed a six-month technical and vocational skills training programme at the Dabokpa Technical Institute in Tamale, aimed at improving employability and tackling rising youth unemployment.

The initiative, organised in collaboration with the MasterCard Foundation and the Design Technology Institute (DTI), provided participants with practical, hands-on experience designed to prepare them for the job market and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The trainees were taken through specialised courses including welding and fabrication technology, catering and hospitality, software development, and fashion design.

These skill areas were carefully selected based on their high demand and strong potential for self-employment and small business development. Organisers explained that the programme was designed to bridge the long-standing gap between classroom-based theoretical education and the practical competencies required by industries and employers.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Principal of Dabokpa Technical Institute, Mariama Mahama, commended the graduates for their dedication, discipline and resilience throughout the rigorous training period.

She noted that beyond the technical knowledge acquired, the institute would continue to support the graduates to establish their own businesses to help reduce unemployment in the region.

The General Manager of Accents and Arts, Bernice Gavor, also disclosed that participants would receive starter kits and seed capital to enable them launch their ventures, urging more young people to take advantage of such life-changing opportunities.

One of the graduates, Abubakari Issahaku, described the training as transformative, expressing gratitude to the organisers for equipping them with skills that could secure their future.

Products designed and manufactured by the trainees were displayed during the ceremony, drawing admiration from guests, while outstanding participants received cash prizes for their innovation and excellence.

Stakeholders believe the programme will not only create jobs but also inspire a new generation of young entrepreneurs capable of contributing meaningfully to the region’s economic growth.

Story by Baba Kamil Mohammed Northern Region