The Ashanti Region can now boast of a precision standards certified technical and vocational education and training institution opened by Business Development Consultancy and Youth Empowerment institution, LETFED AFRICA Institute.
The LETFED AFRICA Institute Cosmetology and Fashion School combines soft and hard skills with modern computing and precision technology to offer training of international standards to students.
Situated at a prime location in the Pankrono Estates, the school opens to fresh students as well as persons already in the vocation who need skill polishing, retooling and official certification to enhance their operations.
Speaking to Ultimate News on the sidelines of the inauguration, its founder Ebenezer Owu-Ewie indicated that the school was instituted on the back of industry research which ranks skills in fashion and cosmetology among trades that can drive economic growth in Ghana.
“Industry research has shown that beauty and fashion is among ten businesses that can be enhanced to accelerate Ghana’s economic growth. So if we do it right; we will be able to develop our economy right and generate more income,” he stated.
Ebenezer further outlined that his outfit has included in its training; entrepreneurship, small business management; financial literacy and bookkeeping; customer care; social media marketing among other soft skills to build holistic graduates capable of competing favorably in local and international environments.
Another innovative, game changing, needs driven course offered by the institute is the Salon Management Course which trainees must complete as part of their comprehensive curricular.
Precision TVET and AfCFTA
The LETFED Institute Cosmetology and Fashion Centre modeled under the partnership of the internationally acclaimed center of technical and precision excellence, Design and Technology Institute (DTI); presents the region with a unique environment of experienced facilitators and an array of industrial machines for practical exchange.
Founder of the Design and Technology Institute Constance Elizabeth Swaniker underscored the need for institutions as LETFED; to be supported to train the right caliber of skilled personnel to make quality Ghanaian products that can compete favorably in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Swaniker observed, “When you look at the Africa Free Trade Continental Area, you realize that collectively, Africa is a huge market. If they are comparing foreign made products against products made by Ghanaian artisans, we cannot compete because the standards here are very low.”
“So definitely, we need to look at the way we are teaching skill education. There has to be a precision and quality mindset with the understanding that once you produce things of high quality, there is a ready market,” she advised.
Industry Empowerment
The president of the Ghana tailors and dressmakers association Joseph Tawiah Marfo who graced the inauguration commended LETFED Africa and its founders for supporting numerus graduating trainees with machines and start up kits for free.
He asked government to institute a comprehensive program to transition graduates of TVET institutions into the job market.
“It is sometimes disheartening when our graduates finish training and have to go round searching for funds to purchase machines and a space to begin working.”
“Government can even establish a huge hub where you can visit with your certificates to be given government contracts for state supplies,” he proposed.
Complimentary Facilities
To support job creation and sustainable incomes of students and beneficiaries; the LETFED Africa Institute of Cosmetology and Fashion also provides a commercial floor that takes individual and institutional orders for top of the range quality clothing, designed with precision technology.
The institute has installed an electronically powered adjustable dummy that builds accurate dimensions and measurements into its clothing lines to reduce the probability of errors that call for alterations at the end of the production cycle.
Other complementary services available to students include a fully stocked library with books covering the full curriculum of soft and hard skills as well as a hostel facility for students travelling from afar to acquire training.
Oheneyere Gyima-Kessie’s commendation
The inauguration of the facility was chaired by the industrious Managing Director of Josma Agro Industries Limited Janet Dorothy Gyimah-Kessie wife of Mamponghene Daasebre Osei Bonsu II.
Mrs Gyimah-Kessie reiterated the potential that technical and vocational skill training holds in creating jobs for the teaming unemployed graduates and out of school youth.
Challenging women to be industrious, she advised that females learnt a skill or vocation that earned them a full time or extra income to support the running of their homes.
The inauguration was graced by recognized unions and associations in the beauty and fashion industry; market queens from the Kumasi Central Market, officials and examiners of the regulator – National Vocational and Technical Institute and the Police Band which treated event attendees to some good music.
By:inewslens.com/Ivan Heathcote – Fumador.
