New Cohort of Ghanaian Youth Begins Precision Quality TM Internship in Accra and Tamale

January 22, 2026

Accra — More than 1,000 young Ghanaians on Monday reported for orientation sessions in Accra and Tamale to begin the second year of the Precision Quality TM (PQ) Internship Programme, an initiative designed by the Design & Technology Institute (DTI) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

The programme seeks to bridge the gap between classroom education and industry-ready technical skills, targeting Ghanaian youth aged 18 to 35 who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Its core objective is to reduce youth unemployment while creating sustainable pathways to dignified work.

The Precision Quality TM Internship is structured to train 6,000 unemployed youth nationwide, equipping them with relevant technical skills and providing structured transition support into wage employment, entrepreneurship, or startup seeding opportunities. For the 2026 programme year, the initiative is targeting 3,250 participants across four key cities — Accra, Ho, Kumasi, and Tamale — as part of efforts to expand regional access and align skills training with industry demand.

At the Accra orientation held at the Trinity Theological Seminary in East Legon, a total of 550 participants were enrolled, while 497 participants attended a simultaneous session at the Dabokpa Technical Institute in Tamale.

The programme is being implemented by Accents & Art, a leading manufacturing company known for bespoke craftsmanship and the lead industry partner supporting DTI’s dual Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) model. Technical support is provided by Accra Technical University, Ho Technical University, Dabokpa Technical Institute, Kumasi Technical Institute, Kad Manufacturing, JemAfrik Creations, and Kwanesco Limited.

Addressing participants at the Accra orientation, the General Manager of Accents & Art, Madam Bernice Gavor, described the initiative as a six-month accelerated apprenticeship and hands-on training programme fully sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation.

She explained that the programme is designed to prepare participants for both industry employment and entrepreneurship by equipping them with practical technical competencies and essential soft skills.

“There is a clear gap between what many young people learn in school and the practical skills required when they enter the workplace,” she said. “The Precision Quality TM Internship was created to address this challenge through industry-aligned methods and standards.”

Madam Gavor disclosed that participants who successfully complete the programme would graduate into three main pathways: direct job placement for employment-ready trainees, start-up kits for those launching their own businesses, and an entrepreneurship pathway hosted within the PQ Hub.

She explained that the hub provides a six-month incubation option with seed funding of up to US$1,000, with high-performing entrepreneurs eligible to progress to US$10,000 in scale-up support.

Participants in the current cohort will receive training in precision welding and fabrication, fashion and apparel design, electrical systems, carpentry, upholstery, software development, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), business development, and professional workplace skills.

The programme also places strong emphasis on industry collaboration. During the orientation sessions, Absa Bank engaged participants through financial literacy and entrepreneurship modules, while other partner organisations pledged mentorship support and employment opportunities for graduates.

Several participants expressed optimism about the opportunity. Ms Dorinda, a fashion design trainee in Accra, described the internship as “a long-awaited chance to learn a skill and build a fashion brand.” Mr Kobla Akwe, who enrolled in the welding and fabrication track, said he was motivated by the programme’s focus on continuous learning and training to industry standards.

Founded in 2016, the Design & Technology Institute has grown into a recognised centre of excellence in TVET education, delivering demand-driven and industry-linked training programmes. With more than 105 Workplace Experience Learning (WEL) partners, DTI continues to promote youth employability and enterprise development through competency-based, hands-on learning.

The Precision Quality TM Internship forms part of the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which seeks to enable 30 million young Africans — particularly women — to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.

The Founder and President of DTI, Ms Constance Swaniker, an entrepreneur and TVET educator, has consistently championed precision, quality, and professionalism as key pillars for sustainable job creation in Ghana.

The newly enrolled cohort will undergo two weeks of structured orientation before deployment to training centres in Accra and Tamale for the six-month technical training period, followed by transition-to-work support. Applications remain open for the Ho and Kumasi centres, which are scheduled to commence in February 2026.

About the Design & Technology Institute (DTI)

The Design & Technology Institute (DTI) is a world-class Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution dedicated to transforming skills development for young people in Ghana and across West Africa.

Officially launched in September 2019, the institute provides a platform for students from universities, polytechnics, and technical institutions to gain real-world industry experience by working closely with artisans on factory floors under the guidance of experienced instructors.

DTI offers scholarships to needy but brilliant students in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation as part of the Young Africa Works strategy. Its campus is located at Mempeasem, East Legon, behind the Ghana Meteorological Agency (Digital Address: GA-484-6124).

For more information, visit: www.dtiafrica.com

About the Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organisations to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the world’s largest private foundations, established in 2006 as an independent organisation with its own Board of Directors and management.

For more information, visit: www.mastercardfdn.org

About Young Africa Works

Young Africa Works is the Mastercard Foundation’s flagship strategy aimed at enabling 30 million young people, especially young women, to secure dignified work by 2030.

By that year, Africa is expected to host the world’s largest workforce, with over 375 million young people entering the labour market. Through partnerships with governments, the private sector, educators, and youth groups, the programme is currently implemented in Rwanda, Kenya, Senegal, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda.