The Ghana TVET Service has partnered with Tema Oil Refinery (ToR) to strengthen skills development and improve the alignment between technical and vocational training and industry requirements. This partnership was announced ahead of National TVET Week 2026, scheduled for October 12 to 16. The collaboration aims to provide students with practical exposure to refinery operations and help build a pipeline of skilled engineers, technicians, machinists, and maintenance specialists for the oil refining sector.
Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery, Edmond Kombat, stated that the partnership would help change perceptions about technical and vocational education. He mentioned that TVET has carried an unfair reputation as the option for those who could not go elsewhere. This partnership seeks to rebrand TVET as a viable pathway to acquiring industry-relevant skills.
Deputy Director-General in charge of Management Services at the Ghana TVET Service, Abdul Fatah Maigah Mahama, emphasized that the collaboration demonstrates the relevance of skills training to Ghana’s industrial development. He noted that the partnership would help position TVET as a pathway into Ghana’s industrial sector and provide learners with practical experience beyond classroom instruction.
A key component of the partnership is the Service’s Work Experience Learning (WEL) programme, through which learners will gain direct exposure to the scale, discipline, and technological demands of refinery operations. This hands-on experience is expected to equip students with the skills and knowledge required in the oil refining sector.
The two institutions also highlighted the importance of certification, particularly in refinery operations where safety, precision, and reliability are critical. Mr. Mahama stressed that certification ensures that learners meet industry standards and are better prepared to contribute to the workforce.
National TVET Week 2026 will feature policy dialogues, stakeholder engagements, and industry-led activities aimed at promoting technical and vocational education and highlighting career opportunities available through skills training. The Ghana TVET Service said the partnership with ToR forms part of broader efforts to strengthen industry collaboration and ensure that graduates acquire relevant, certified skills for the labour market.
The partnership between Ghana TVET Service and Tema Oil Refinery is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s industrial sector by providing a skilled workforce. This collaboration is a significant step in connecting skills training with industry needs, ultimately contributing to Ghana’s economic development.
Key points
- The partnership aims to provide students with practical exposure to refinery operations.
- The collaboration seeks to rebrand TVET as a viable pathway to acquiring industry-relevant skills.
- Certification is a critical component of the partnership to ensure learners meet industry standards.
