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Accra, Oct. 31, GNA – The Design and Technology Institute (DTI) has commissioned Africa’s first American Welding Society (AWS)-certified Welder Training and Testing Centre, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) landscape. The state-of-the-art facility, located at DTI’s campus, is equipped with a 40-booth workshop, digital welding simulators, and a metallurgical training laboratory. It is designed to train and certify Ghanaian welders to international standards, positioning them for opportunities both locally and globally. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Archibald Buah-Kwofie, Acting Director of the Nuclear Power Institute at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, described the centre as a “strategic national asset” and a “catalyst for transforming Ghana’s TVET landscape.” “This facility is not just another training centre. It is a bold statement that Ghana is ready to train its youth to world-class standards,” he said. Dr. Buah-Kwofie also underscored the importance of welding in Ghana’s emerging nuclear energy sector, noting that certified welders would be critical in the construction and maintenance of future nuclear facilities. He called for a national welding dialogue to establish a framework for standardizing training, aligning curricula, and certifying welders across the country. “This commissioning must inspire us to do more. Every region of Ghana should have access to a world-class TVET facility,” he added. DTI President, Ms. Constance Swaniker, highlighted the institute’s five-year journey advocating for stronger collaboration between academia and industry. She noted that the skills mismatch between graduates and industry needs has contributed to high youth unemployment and low productivity. “DTI’s 70% employability score, validated by the ISE assessment, is a testament to our commitment to co-designed curricula, entrepreneurship training, and industry-led instruction,” she said. The centre integrates soft skills training facilitated by clinical psychologists and arts-in-education specialists, ensuring graduates are not only technically competent but also emotionally intelligent and workplace-ready. Ms. Swaniker said the initiative reflected a growing alignment between the public and private sectors to build a skilled, confident, and globally competitive workforce among Ghana’s youth. She said the Centre, equipped with a 40-booth workshop, digital welding simulators, and a metallurgical testing laboratory, will offer internationally certified training and testing services to meet the demands of both local and global industries. “This Centre sets a new benchmark for human capital development in Ghana’s TVET sector,” Ms. Swaniker said. “It creates dignified, well-paying job opportunities for our youth, reduces costs and delays for industry, and transforms petroleum revenues into human capital dividends for Ghana.” Ms. Swaniker highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry, noting that the disconnect had contributed to high youth unemployment and limited productivity. She cited global examples from China and India where structured collaboration between academia and industry has led to innovation and job creation. She said DTI’s efforts over the past five years—including strategic partnerships, curriculum alignment, and work-based learning initiatives—had resulted in a 70 percent employability score for its graduates, according to the IFC Vitae Assessment. The Centre adopts the AWS SENSE curriculum and aims to produce highly skilled welding and fabrication professionals who meet international standards. It will also serve as a hub for training, inspection, and testing services for the industry. Ms. Swaniker expressed gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation and other stakeholders for their continued support in advancing TVET in Ghana. Mr Isaac Tetteh, DTI’s Welding and Fabrication Department Head, emphasized the centre’s role in producing globally competitive welders aligned with AWS, ASME, and ISO standards. He called for strategic partnerships with international certification bodies and local regulators to expand certification opportunities and support Ghana’s industrialization agenda. Additionally, he highlighted its state-of-the-art Mechanical and Metallurgical Testing Laboratory as a game-changer for the country’s industrial sector. “For the first time in Ghana’s TVET space, organisations in oil and gas, power generation, mining and construction can conduct all required mechanical tests and welder qualifications locally,” Mr. Tetteh said, adding that it would significantly reduce dependency on international testing services and support local content development. Furthermore, he announced plans to position DTI as the continent’s ‘Welding Centre of Excellence’ through strategic partnerships with globally recognised bodies such as DNV and ABS. These collaborations will pave the way for advanced professional certifications, including Certified Welding Inspector and NDT certifications, crucial for the Ghana’s industrialisation and energy transition. Moreover, Mr. Tetteh reaffirmed centre’s commitment to holistic development, integrating soft skills training facilitated by clinical psychologists to produce “well-rounded professionals who are not only technically competent but also emotionally intelligent, disciplined, and industry-ready. The Centre adopts the AWS SENSE curriculum and aims to produce highly skilled welding and fabrication professionals who meet international standards. It is expected to reduce reliance on foreign labour, enhance local content in major infrastructure projects, and create dignified, well-paying jobs for the country’s youth.GNAChristian Akorlie
