Over 800 Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners and traders in Kumasi have been trained in precision quality by the Design and Technology Institute (DTI).

The drama-cum-educational piece titled “Joe Sharp" mirrors the lives, work, successes and failures of master crafts persons, their relationship with customers and how they can enhance it through the application of precision principles.

The current drama series-based training is under the ‘Transforming youth TVET livelihood for sustainable jobs’ project in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s ‘Young Africa Work (YAW) Strategy’, which seeks to create 40,000 direct and indirect work opportunities for the youth, especially young women, through TVET in Ghana.

The programme is a unique way of training informal sector operators who have immense skills and potential but require refinement to churn out quality products and services.

Through the drama series, DTI expects to improve the work skills and practices of 5,000 master crafts persons and 1,000 SMEs.

The training forms part of DTI’s strategy to work with key stakeholders to enable three million young people, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030 using a multiplier approach.

According to the project coordinator of DTI, Kwame Oppong-Peprah, 78 percent of the trainees have attested to high work ethics and registered their companies as well.

“This move from such small businesses is good. It is going to make them sell more, put a premium and market themselves to many people, both locally and internationally,” he said.

Participants were optimistic the engagement has been revealing and will help them secure more contracts.

“What they’re teaching us today, we’ll work on it and we can come to the limelight so we can get the contracts,” said the chairman of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana National Tailors and dressmakers Association, Eric Boakye Yiadom.

“The programme has been very helpful. It has educated us on how to attract and retain customers. They should try and hold this programme quartely,” said Mrs. Abigail Quansah, Chairman, Ashanti region hairdressers Association.