SMARTSTEP PROJECT
Smart Step is a project that aims to improve the training programs offered in vocational education and training (VET) schools in Ghana and Cameroon. The project seeks to prepare students for entrepreneurship and bridge the gap between the education system and the Labor market.
Smart Step project is a project co-funded by the European Union and Asociación Mundus (Erasmus +) as the leading organization and Don Bosco Youth Network (DBYN) as the local partner.
The Objectives of the Smart Step projects are:
1. To establish a comprehensive and collaborative system of exchange of good practices, learning processes, and activities to facilitate mutual knowledge.
2. To introduce specific training on entrepreneurship to VET teachers, tutors, and learners, encouraging them to think about sustainable innovation production and inclusiveness adapted to their environment.
DAY 1- ARRIVAL AND KICK-START OF THE SMART STEP PROJECT MEETING IN GHANA
The Smart Step Project aims to upskill African VET institutions and learners as future
Entrepreneurs had a successful Kick-off meeting in Ghana from April 24th to April 26th and continued with a Study Visit from May 27th to May 1st, 2023.
DAY 2- SMART STEP MEETING IN GHANA—SDB PROVINCIAL HOUSE GHANA
The smart step continued the next day with the organising of a focus group by the partners to further discuss the project methodologies and how to start working on the task assigned in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the business.
DAY 3- SMART STEP MEETING IN GHANA—SDB PROVINCIAL HOUSE GHANA
On the 3rd Day of the smart step meeting in the SDB Provincial House, Ghana. Certificates were awarded to the participants involved in the SMART STEP KICK-Off MEETING.
Here are some Photos of participants receiving their Certificates.
DAY 4 – STUDY VISIT TO DON BOSCO TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, ASHAIMAN-GHANA
A study visit was carried out at the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) to interview and interact with students, trainers and entrepreneurs. The objectives of carrying out this study visit are to:
1. To identify the mismatch between the educational system and labour market needs and to develop a strategy and systems of orientation to retool TVET institutions in Africa to be responsive to the signals and demands coming from the labour market.
2. To seek out ways to learn about the state-of-the-art of entrepreneurship in Ghana, analyse the problems, and establish problem-solving tools and interventions through VET education to improve the craft of entrepreneurship, skills and knowledge.
Some of the feedback from the Study visit to Don Bosco Technical Institute – Ashaiman are:
3. Lack of quality in VET education – inadequate skills and knowledge on entrepreneurship in TVET schools.
4. Government should create an enabling environment that makes it easy for young entrepreneurs to access equipment and resources to expand their businesses.
STUDY VISIT TO GHANA DIGITAL CENTRE, ACCRA-GHANA.
The study visit continued the next day to interact with the staff, youth Trainers and Entrepreneurs at the Ghana Digital Centre.
The objective of this study visit to the Ghana Digital Centre is to Create an enabling environment for innovative technology and entrepreneurship that encourages young people to become entrepreneurs and contribute to solving problems of unemployment in the economy as well as paving the way for the innovation and growth of nations.
Some of the feedback from the Study visit to the Ghana Digital Centre is:
1. Strong institutions create an enabling environment with innovative skills in technology for the sustainability of enterprises, business start-ups and entrepreneurship.
2. Learning platforms with new skills and innovative technology encourage entrepreneurs to widen their scope of services.
3. The State should protect entrepreneurs and provide legislative principles to secure and sustain businesses.
SMART STEP STUDY VISIT TO CAMEROON (JUNE 24TH to JUNE 30TH, 2023)
As part of the European Commission Erasmus+ programme, The Two countries involved are Ghana and Cameroon. The objective of the study visit to Cameroon was to understand the state-of-the-art of entrepreneurship in Cameroon as a career opportunity for young people and to identify the mismatch between the educational approach and the labour market.
Again, the visit aims to gather valuable information from key players, partners and stakeholders in Cameroon about the possibilities of adapting the labour market demands into the educational curriculum.
This study visit was furnished with several visits and field trips to enable the different teams to learn about the realities of entrepreneurship in Cameroon.
SMART STEP PROJECT – GHANA