Monday, April 19, 2010

NVTI MUST REDIRECT ITS OPERATIONS...To offer skills to convicts, exconvicts (PAGE 11, APRIL 19, 2010)

THE Management of the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) has been advised to redirect its operations towards building the capacity of both convicts and ex-convicts in Ghana in an effective and efficient way.
This would not only offer employable skills to convicts and make them resourceful, but also reduce the stigma that results from the situation and facilitate their integration into society.
He said with adequate support to convicts and ex-convicts in terms of sustainable skills training on various vocations, they would be more resourceful and preoccupied to support sustainable socio-economic development instead of indulging in crimes.
The General Secretary of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ghana, Mr A.T. D. Okine, gave the advise during the maiden delegates conference of the NVTI Divisions in Kumasi.
The conference, which was on the theme: “Improving the quality and relevance of vocational training; – the role of the union,” was attended by about 70 delegates across the country.
Expressing concern about lack of initiatives to support ex-convicts over the years in terms of capacity building, Mr Okine gave an assurance that “the National Union, in collaboration with the NVTI Division Union, will support all policies aimed at providing training to people without any skills”.
He expressed concern about the carnage on the highways throughout the country, leading to the loss of valuable lives and property, and urged the NVTI to provide skills training to drivers to curb the carnage.
In his address, the Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Antwi Bosiako Sekyere, said at this stage of her development efforts, Ghana needed a critical mass of high-level skilled manpower “to [be staffed in] our public and private sector organisations”.
In his welcoming address, the divisional chairman, Mr John Sampah, said the PSWU “are in high expectation of the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS)”.

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