Skills Mismatch and Workforce Readiness for Export-Oriented Textiles and Garment Manufacturing in Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t5455Abstract
Export-oriented garment manufacturing is recognised as a key pathway for Ghana's industrial diversification, yet its growth is hindered by a significant skills mismatch. A mixed-methods survey of 3,864 working-age individuals and assessments of 37 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in the Volta Region of Ghana reveal a gap between workforce skills and the competencies required for modern apparel production. Knowledge of textile fabric properties is particularly important because it influences cutting techniques, machine settings, finishing processes, and quality control. Although more than half of respondents (52.88%) demonstrate proficiency in functional stitching, proficiency in advanced skills such as pattern making (36.03% good/excellent), embroidery skills (22.67%), and machine maintenance remains limited. Vocational/technical graduates demonstrate greater operational readiness than respondents from other educational backgrounds, whereas tertiary graduates exhibit substantial competency mismatches. The TVET system is constrained by equipment shortages (78.38% of institutions), weak industry connections, low employment placement rates, and insufficient training in digital production skills. Gender is also an important factor: women, who make up 70.63% of the potential workforce, are often concentrated in lower-skilled roles because of structural barriers. This paper presents a demand-side gap analysis based on primary survey data and proposes a multi-tiered policy framework, including competency-based curriculum reform, industry–TVET collaboration, gender-responsive provisions, and a graduated apprenticeship-to-factory transition model. The findings have implications for other Sub-Saharan African economies pursuing industrial development under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Keywords: Skills mismatch, Garment manufacturing, Workforce readiness, TVET, Ghana
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