Head of Fashion Design and Textiles Department at the Kumasi Technical University has stressed the importance of competency-based training in churning out self-sufficient graduates.

Dr. Thomas Obeng Asare cited inadequate funding for the collapse of start-ups.

He was speaking at the 2022 exhibition and fashion show.

Dr. Obeng Asare believes students equipped with competency-based skills are able to create jobs.

“Where the world is going, we’ve seen we need to come up with students who can fend for themselves and employ more people to reduce unemployment.

“Students are therefore trained in competency-based training so they’re able to solve problems of society so when they complete they’re no longer dependent.

“Because of their creativity, they’re able to start in a small way and in no time expand their business with no start-up capital,” he noted.

The annual programme dubbed, “Fashion Expression” enables the final year HND and BTEch students to showcase their creative clothing collection to the general public.

As part of the requirements for graduation, the final-year students are made to undertake scientific production of garment collections.

It is aimed at building the capacity of the students with creative skills and entrepreneurial competencies for the job market.

The students develop concepts out of identified problems and create innovative garment designs to address those challenges.

This year, the Department presented a total of one hundred and sixty-six final year students.

Dr. Obeng Asare hinted that plans are far advanced to move the faculty to a dedicated block at the Adako Jachie campus.