An evaluation of the skills training and emploment placement (STEP) programme on the youth in the Zabzugu/Tatale district in the Northern region of Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the Skills Training and Employment Placement (STEP) Programme on the youth in terms of job placements. It focused on the perceptions of the youth on the programme based on their experiences during and after the skills training. The research design, therefore, used for the study was evaluative. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select 152 respondents out of a population of 200 youth who participated in the programme in the Zabzugu-Tatale district between the period March, 2002 - September, 2005. Questionnaire and interview schedules were used to gather the data for the study. The findings showed that the programme helped the respondents to acquire the necessary skills, had access to micro financial assistance, get gainful employment, and impart their skills on their personal growth and development. It was, however, revealed that proper recruitment procedures were not adhered to. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that, in order to sustain youth development intervention programmes, the Ministry of Manpower Development, Youth and Employment should: forge partnership with small-scale businesses and micro enterprises that are interested in youth development programmes and come out with a comprehensive youth development policy; and establish a working relationship with them and design a proper career progression that will afford the trainees to move from one level of training to the other. These will help in sustainable youth development programmes.