Over 100 university students participated in a work readiness internship program in the maiden edition of the Design and Technology Institute’s Summer Precision Internship programme aimed at equipping Technical University students with pragmatic industry experience relevant in transitioning them into the work of work by bridging the gap between industry and academia.

This year a total of 113 students participated in the programme comprising 44 males and 69 females drawn from the departments of mechanical engineering, fashion and Design.

The Summer Precision Internship programme is an industrial attachment programme opened to students from Technical Institutions across Ghana.

The objectives of the program are to allow students to apply, test and integrate academic knowledge and theoretical concepts in a work setting. Gain access to knowledge and equipment not readily available to them on their campuses and expand students awareness of the world of work.

The students embarked on industrial field visits to learn firsthand the operations of industries,interacted with seasoned industry leaders and sought to identify problems in the industry.

They worked in teams to provide innovative solutions to the problems sighted while building on their interpersonal skills and team work.

In his closing remarks, the Workplace and Industry coordinator of DTI, Mubarik Ahmed underscored the need for the interns to be equipped with the requisite precision skills to embrace the new world of work.

“The world is moving at a fast pace and the adoption of precision quality has become relevant with the coming into effect of the continental free trade area creating one large continental market. It is interesting to note that there are vacancies that can’t be filled due to a skills gap.

“As an institution, spending time, bringing industry experts to share their expertise and knowledge with the interns will help position them for employment,” said Mr Mubaik Ahmed.

He added, “DTI has a number of youth-oriented initiatives to build the human capital of the country including the Community Business Innovation Festival, Women in TVET to equip young people with relevant skills to serve as catalyst to create sustainable jobs for people.”

The Summer Precision Internship Programme

The internship programme forms part of a three-year Young Africa Works strategy to create sustainable work-related opportunities for the youth especially young women and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.

DTI seeks to recruit and train 1000 youth especially females in precision welding and fabrication, provide work readiness skills and connect trained youth to dignified and sustainable jobs.

DTI’s summer precision internship programme provides a conducive learning environment for students through a eight-week intensive and practical based training to help them gain valuable industry skills. The programme focuses primarily on three core areas: Soft skills training (Work readiness and transition to work skills), Hard skills training (training in aspects of DTI’s precision welding and fabrication programme) and Entrepreneurship training (personal grooming, customer service, and pitching and presentation skills etc.).

Interns were awarded certificates of completion for their successful participation in the internship training programme in a delightful close out and exhibition ceremony.

Students showcased their group projects works and presented to a panel of judges who selected the most innovative project of the year. Awards were given to students who performed above and beyound and demonstrated exceptional attitude and behaviour through the internship period.