MasterCard Foundation in collaboration with the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has organised an orientation for skilled mastercraft personnels.

The programme is part of moves to implement Young Africa Works which aims to train 39,000 youth by 2022.

Greater Accra Regional Coordinator for Young Africa works, Jemima Arthur told JoyBusiness that the programme will equip skilled craft professionals to handle the Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship (A2E) initiative.

She explained that the A2E programme is among many projects aimed at reducing unemployment especially in the youth.

Speaking on the sideline, Coordinator for Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship project, Cynthia Debrah, said her outfit will support the trainers with the necessary kits to help them in the process of equipping the youth with skills.

“For this project what we seek to do monetary-wise, we cannot give them anything but what we plan to do is to give them other support services that they need. Those that are going to help their businesses then pay for the apprenticeship fee though it is not going to be what they wish to charge but it is something that we’re doing trying to help the youth,” she said.

Meanwhile, CEO of Medi vocational institute, Maame Esi Darkoa Grant added that the initiative was a good one but if they are given people to train, MasterCard and NBSSI should support them.

“From what they’re saying, it is a good idea. My only challenge is that, really, as they are saying, they should go by it,” she said.

However, a digital security executive, Eric Amevor who was a participant of the orientation believes that as an entrepreneur, one must have backup so they do not solely rely on government.