Apprenticeship Overlooked, Parents Call For Equal Value With Formal Education.

Mfantseman municipality Mankessim,- A recent graduation ceremony at Abaka Auto Mechanic and Welding Shop mankessim became the stage for a passionate plea from parents and industry leaders, urging fellow guardians to recognize and prioritize apprenticeship training as a vital pathway to success, on par with traditional formal education.

Mr. Kofi Adams, CEO of Abaka Kataka Auto Mechanic and Welding Shop, alongside a concerned group of parents, voiced their dismay at a prevailing mindset that often devalues vocational training, leading to the neglect of young individuals learning valuable trades.

The sentiment shared at the event highlighted a growing concern that many guardians are overly focused on their own professional and daily obligations, inadvertently overlooking the developmental needs of their children in schools.

This intense focus on immediate responsibilities, they argued, can cause parents to miss crucial signs of struggle or worry their children might be experiencing, whether in a classroom or a workshop.

“We are seeing a trend where the prestige of a university degree overshadows the tangible skills and successful careers that apprenticeships offer,” stated one parent, who preferred to remain anonymous.

“Our children learning a trade are building futures with their hands and minds, and they deserve the same level of encouragement and support as those on a purely academic track.”

The call to action was clear: parents must actively engage with their children’s journeys, regardless of the path chosen.

This includes regular check-ins to understand their challenges, listen to their concerns, and provide unwavering support.

Mr. Adams emphasized that investing time and attention in a child’s apprenticeship is not just about skill acquisition, but about fostering confidence, self-reliance, and a strong sense of purpose.

“An apprenticeship is not a fallback option; it is a launchpad,” Mr. Adams declared during the ceremony.

“We need to shift the narrative and celebrate these young artisans and technicians for the vital role they play in our economy and society.

Let’s ensure no child feels their chosen path is any less important than another.

” The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment from attendees to champion apprenticeships and foster a more balanced approach to children’s education and future career development.

The parents also explained why children doing apprenticeship should not be neglected.

They highlighted the creative work that these children are doing, which also generates huge income that even the formal education graduates can not compete.

They emphasized that these children are also brilliant , intelligent and creative just like or even more than the formal educators.

The group concluded that both formal education and apprenticeship are valuable, and parents must remain actively involved in their children’s lives to help them build a successful future, and this means that, parents should pay equal attention to their children regardless of the education they are receiving for they all matters.

By Douglas Oyiboh Amponsah.