The Manager of the Business Studies Centre of the Kumasi Branch of the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), Mrs. Florence Adufutse, has called on parents to encourage their children to pursue vocational and technical courses. She said this would equip the youth with the requisite knowledge and skills to enable them to become self-reliant. Mrs.Adufutse was speaking at the fourth graduation ceremony of the Centre in Kumasi on Saturday. She urged the youth to be proactive and work hard towards the socio-economic development of the country. Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, said government would continue to implement good educational policies to facilitate national development. She said the recent Education Reform indicated government's determination to improve the education sector adding that the reform would also help to equip the youth with ICT based knowledge to help them develop their talents. A total of 141 students graduated and were given Diploma Certificates in Secretarial Training after two years of study. Source: GNA