In the first year of the Resource and Skills Training Centre, 130 young people build their job opportunities with new vocational skills in four districts surrounding Effiduase in Ghana.

Local Solution

The second phase of the project aims to complete the establishment of a Resource and Skills Training Centre in Effiduase, designed to empower youth by providing vocational training tailored to meet local market demands.  . We aim to empower 130 young people by enhancing their vocational skills across four districts surrounding Effiduase in Ghana.

The upcoming phase of the project will focus on the full establishment of the Resource and Skills Training Centre, where 30 young entrepreneurs currently engaged in informal businesses will have the opportunity to upgrade their vocational skills. Additionally, we plan to train another 100 unemployed youth in vital new vocational areas.

This initiative is critical, as youth unemployment remains one of Ghana’s most pressing challenges, pushing young people into unprotected and irregular employment, or even leading them to migrate to urban centres or abroad in search of better opportunities. Moreover, research by the UN identifies youth unemployment as a key driver of extremism and social unrest.

One of the root causes of youth unemployment is the existing skills gap, which prevents many from starting a job or innovating within their current business. There are currently no dedicated skills centres to meet  informal sector training needs or provide the necessary certifications.

Pinasol Foundation is committed to bridging this gap by offering comprehensive training programs. In the first year, youth will upgrade their existing skills or acquire new ones in areas such as (solar) electronics, tiling, fabric repairs, beads making, mushroom production, bio-digester making, and ICT-related skills. Participants will be sourced from the four surrounding districts, Sekyere Kumawu, Sekyere Afram Plains, Juaben Municipal Assembly, and Effiduase, through partnerships with local trade associations, including dressmakers, hairdressers, beauticians, and mechanics. Courses will be developed and delivered by Pinasol in collaboration with local stakeholders, ensuring relevance and quality.

With prior support from iMPACT Direct, Pinasol has successfully guided +263 young people toward employment or internships, solidifying its reputation as a leader in vocational training.

Additionally, Pinasol collaborates with the Ghana Government’s TVET Voucher Project to further enhance skills development initiatives for informal sector entrepreneurs.

Lives Improved

As a result of this phase of the project, 30 young entrepreneurs in the informal sector will have the opportunity to improve their skills and become more effective in their work. This will enable them to either expand their businesses or secure better paid employment, with an expected increase in income within a year.

Furthermore, the training initiatives will equip an additional 100 unemployed young people with new vocational skills, with the expectation that at least 20% will find employment or start their own businesses within the year. As a result, approximately 250 family members will experience improved household incomes, facilitating access to essential needs such as food, healthcare, education, and better housing.

Community Impact

The entire community will benefit from the Skills and Resource Centre, which features a training room, event space, job placement centre, and community library. This infrastructure enables  the sustainability of the project by providing continuous training and support to young people beyond the initial funding period. The centre will also generate revenue from renting office and event spaces, ensuring that Pinasol can sustainably continue its important community work.

Budget

The budget for these activities amounts to GHS 130,319 (or € 7,455). Donations will be allocated towards:

• Building Materials for Construction
• Plumbing and Sanitation items
• Doors and Windows purchases
• Electrical Works materials
• Labour Costs for Construction
• Covering 5% to iMPACT direct for facilitating donations to local solutions, which includes website, financial processing, and basic support costs for NGOs in promotion and fundraising.

Own Contribution: Pinasol will raise €1000 locally to support labour cost

Testimonial

“I am very excited to know that the youth in my community are getting skills which will help them to gain employment and reduce social vices. I have therefore donated two plots of land for the construction of the Pinasol Resource Centre to promote skills upgrading in Effiduase.” Chief Daasebre Adu Ameyaw II of Effiduase

Do you mean that during the first phase 70% of the construction was build? And is it correct that although the construction wasn’t finished yet, people could receive training in the centre?

construction is 70% complete

training cant start just yet