55% of TVET Graduates in Ashanti Region are Employed as Perception Positively Changes

A new skills training assessment report has revealed that there is an improved job prospects for persons engaged in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Ashanti Region, as perception improves significantly.

This was revealed in a UNICEF report titled “Skills Supply and Demand Side Assessment: A Situation Analysis of the Ashanti Region.” The study was conducted by Step Innovations Africa on behalf of UNICEF Ghana with funding from Generation Unlimited (GenU).

The aim of the study was to assess the supply and demand of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Ashanti Region, identify skills gaps and mismatches, and provide evidence to better align training with labour market needs, thereby boosting youth employability and regional economic development.

At the end of the study, the report has revealed a significant shift in the fortunes of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates in the Ashanti Region.

A significant 55% of TVET graduates in the region are employed. 18% of them are furthering their education in various institutions, while 27% of the graduates are unemployed.

“Of the past TVET graduates surveyed, 55% are employed, 18% are furthering their education, and 27% are unemployed,” part of the report cited by The High Street Journal indicated.

Of those employed, an impressive 39% are self-employed, which underscores the critical role TVET plays in nurturing entrepreneurship. From fashion designers and caterers to mechanics and electricians, many graduates are creating jobs for themselves, and in some cases, for others, rather than waiting endlessly for white-collar opportunities.

The report added that, “Of the employed, 39% are self-employed, emphasizing the need for entrepreneurship development in TVET.”

At the same time, the study highlighted a major turnaround in public perception of TVET. Once stigmatized as a “last resort” for students who could not make it into academic tracks, TVET is steadily gaining respect.

In the Ashanti Region today, 78% of parents encourage their wards to pursue TVET, while a remarkable 91% of graduates say they would recommend the path to others.

“TVET has historically suffered from negative perceptions, but the study found an improvement. 78% of parents/guardians now encourage their wards to pursue TVET, and 91% of TVET graduates are willing to promote the sector to others,” the report added.

Education and labour experts will find these findings welcoming. This is because the findings come at a time when Ghana is struggling with youth unemployment and a mismatch between graduates’ skills and industry demands.

The findings also highlight the importance of investing in entrepreneurship training within TVET institutions, since a large share of graduates are striking out on their own. Access to affordable credit, mentorship, and incubation hubs could accelerate this trend, turning small start-ups into thriving businesses.

From the report, TVET is no longer a dead-end but a gateway to employment, self-reliance, and dignity in work. With perceptions changing and graduates proving the value of skills training, the sector may finally be shaking off decades of neglect and stigma.

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