GIZ, GTVET train 150 under ‘Female Talents in Construction’ project

By Ernest Bako WUBONTO

German Cooperation (GIZ), in collaboration with the Ghana Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (GTVET) Service, has equipped about 150 young professionals with technical skills under its ‘Female Talents in Construction’ (FTC) project.

The FTC is an initiative designed to equip young graduates, particularly females, with industry-required skills for employment in the construction sector.

The project has run a three-month intensive training – one month of theory and two months of practical skills. It provided technical skills upgrade training, occupational health and safety, business development skills and other soft skills training.

The 150 participants are in the process of being licensed under the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) and will be awarded the German C-Certification, accredited by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK).

This will enable them to gain access to a wider job market, both in Ghana, Germany and other European countries.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the first cohort to close phase-one of the project, Eunice Agyepong, Head of Component – Invest for Jobs at GIZ Ghana, highlighted the need to empower women to venture into the construction industry, a sector dominated by men but holds significant impact on every part of the economy.

“Ghana, as a developing nation, faces numerous challenges in building the infrastructure necessary to drive its economic growth and social progress. Roads, schools, hospitals and homes are the foundational elements of a strong and thriving society.

But to build these structures, we need more than just physical labour; we need inclusive participation and diverse perspectives – from men and women. Diversity is critical in designing structures that serve the needs of all people. When women thrive, communities thrive,” she said.

she further elaborated that women bring a different dimension of creativity and problem-solving skills to the table. “In many cases, they see solutions that might be overlooked by their male counterparts. For instance, women often bring a unique sensitivity to safety concerns and environmental impact. They may have a more collaborative approach to managing teams, which can lead to better communication and efficiency.”

Director of the Ghana TVET Service, Greater Accra Region, Juliana Nkrumah, emphasised that the Female Talents in Construction project provided the platform for young females to unearth their passion, potential and vision for solving real-world problems in the construction industry.

She mentioned that the presence of women in the construction sector not only challenges gender stereotypes, but also provides role models for the next generation of girls, adding that young girls need to see women in construction leadership positions within their settings.

“We are witnessing an intensive three-month journey of dedication, inspiration and commitment fuelled by skills in finding solutions for today’s challenges. We are proud to see so many females pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and we applaud their courage, resilience and commitment to advancing in the construction fields in ways that would transform our communities, industries and the entire nation,” she said.

The ALIGN report, 2020, indicated that in Ghana, women represent just three percent of the construction sector’s workforce. This highlights a significant gender imbalance in the sector. This under-representation is largely due to limited access to training opportunities and societal stereotypes. Increasing female participation in construction could improve diversity, boost productivity and help address the sector’s growing labour demands.

As a response to this, the FTC project has deepened the hands-on experience of these young professionals, most of whom are women, by providing technical skills upgrade training, occupational health and safety training, business development skills training, and other soft skills training.

A beneficiary, Sedem Misroame – a  Welding and Fabrication graduate from the programme, shared her excitement. She indicated that beyond equipping her with the right skills and tools to compete with others in the workplace, she is more elated about the German C certificate that  will enable her to work in Europe when the opportunity opens.

The FTC project was implemented with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), within the framework of Invest for Jobs, the brand of the Special Initiative ‘Decent Work for a Just Transition’.

Among the partners that contributed to the success of the project are the Ghana Institution of Engineering, the National Service Secretariat, INZAG GmbH, Furnart, Adom City Group, Akosua Investment, Clifton Homes, Special Homes, Metal Craft, AESL, Almond Construction, APAA Electrical Engineering, Comfee Ghana, MELM Engineering, McHammah Engineering and Pheonix Properties.

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