Development of occupational standards for competency-based bead jewellery apprenticeship training in Ghana.

Abstract

The research focused on the development of occupational standards for competency-based bead jewellery apprenticeship training in Ghana. It also covers the current trends of the bead Jewellery apprenticeship training in Ghana. The problem of the study was on the fact that the master bead jewellers had inadequate technical skills on the occupational standards for competency-based bead jewellery apprenticeship training in Ghana and the fact that there was no framework to regulate their training. The problem of the study was answered using the qualitative research approach, which involves the descriptive research design. The study area consisted of five regions: Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, Volta, and Central Regions of Ghana. The population for the study comprises master bead jewellers, bead jewellers, apprentice bead jewellers and some Government officials as well as bead dealers. The study employed a purposive sampling technique, and the sample size was twenty-six. Direct observations, semi-structured interviews, reviews of documents and artifacts were the data collection tools used for the study. The study employed the framework analysis procedure to analyze the data. The study revealed that the genesis of this training started around the 2000s through to 2022 and beyond. There are new approaches to this type of apprenticeship training, enrollment procedures, caliber of persons and artifacts on board. Again, the study reveals that this current apprenticeship training has no proper framework or policies to regulate or govern their training or even bead making in Ghana as a whole. It was also revealed that the master bead jewellers do not include elements and principles of design which is very essential to any design work. The trainees are not taught how to combine colours as well as proper packaging, creativity and finishing of their works. The study also accounts for the fact that the Ghanaian government has neglected bead makers who work through government bodies such as Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ghana Tourism Authority and the NVTI, now TVET Services. The study therefore recommends that the history of bead jewellery apprenticeship training in Ghana be properly documented and kept for future generations. The master bead jewellers must include elements of design, colour psychology, proper packaging and finishing in their work. All the master bead jewellers must come together to form a formidable association which can help them push some of their agendas forward. The current bead jewellery apprenticeship training must be encouraged so that the youth can venture into it to become gainfully employed. The study recommends that the Government of Ghana, through the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ghana Tourism Authority, and the Association of Ghana Industries, should work with the bead makers to give them the necessary support they need. The taxes on the bead jewellery materials and tools should be reduced by the Government through MTI to enable the Master bead jewellers and Apprentice bead jewellers purchase materials and tools for their training. The study recommends that the framework that came up from the research be adopted if possible, to regulate bead jewellery apprenticeship training in Ghana with immediate effect