The transformation of India’s skills development ecosystem over the past decade is increasingly being viewed as a model that countries such as Ghana could draw lessons from as they seek to strengthen entrepreneurship and job creation.
During a meeting with a delegation of African editors in New Delhi, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Debashree Mukherjee, outlined how India has built what she described as a “comprehensive skilling ecosystem” designed to connect education, vocational training and entrepreneurship.
According to her, the system has evolved steadily over time but has seen intensified reforms in the last decade, driven by strong national institutions, industry partnerships and collaboration with state governments.
“We have created a comprehensive skilling ecosystem which covers vocational training, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship,” she explained, noting that the federal structure of India allows the central government to set policy direction while implementation is largely carried out by state governments.
Skills as the Backbone of Enterprise
At the centre of India’s strategy is a nationwide network of approximately 14,500 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) which serve as the backbone of the country’s technical and vocational education system.
These institutions provide practical training in trades ranging from manufacturing and engineering to digital and emerging technologies, preparing millions of young people for the labour market each year.
For Ghana, where youth unemployment and underemployment remain pressing challenges, the scale and structure of India’s vocational training network present a striking contrast. While Ghana has technical and vocational education institutions, research shows the system lacks the scale, funding and strong industry linkages necessary to produce large numbers of skilled workers for emerging sectors.
India’s experience suggests that a strong vocational backbone can serve as a foundation for entrepreneurship by equipping young people with practical skills that can be translated into business opportunities.
Bridging Education and Employable Skills
One of the most significant policy shifts highlighted by Ms. Mukherjee is India’s decision to embed vocational skills directly within the formal education system.
Under the National Education Policy 2020, vocational education is being introduced from Grade Six, alongside opportunities for internships. The objective is to bridge the long-standing divide between academic education and employable skills.
“The idea is to embed skills in the education system and provide pathways between education and skilling so that skilling is not seen as a dead end,” she said.
For Ghana, this approach mirrors ongoing discussions about reforming the education system to make it more responsive to the needs of industry and entrepreneurship.
Experts in Ghana have long argued that the country’s education system tends to emphasise academic qualifications while giving limited attention to practical skills and technical competencies. Integrating vocational exposure at earlier stages of schooling, as India has done, could help address the mismatch between education and labour market needs.
Apprenticeships Driving Practical Experience
Another cornerstone of India’s skills strategy is its extensive apprenticeship programme, which links trainees directly with industry.
According to the Ministry, more than 4.7 million apprentices are currently engaged across 55,000 establishments nationwide, gaining hands-on experience while preparing for full-time employment or entrepreneurship.
This strong emphasis on work-based training has helped ensure that skills development is aligned with the needs of employers.
For Ghana, where small and medium-sized enterprises dominate the economy, strengthening apprenticeship systems could help formalise and modernise traditional training practices while boosting productivity across sectors.
Targeting Future Job Roles
India is also preparing its workforce for emerging industries. Officials indicated that over 545,000 candidates have already been trained in futuristic job roles, reflecting a shift toward digital technologies, advanced manufacturing and other growth sectors.
Such forward-looking training models could hold lessons for Ghana as it seeks to expand opportunities in areas such as renewable energy, agribusiness, fintech and digital services.
With Ghana positioning itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in West Africa, aligning skills training with future economic sectors will be critical to sustaining growth.
Entrepreneurship at the Core
India’s skills strategy goes beyond employment to include structured support for entrepreneurship.
The country operates specialised entrepreneurship institutes and training programmes designed to equip individuals with business development skills.
These programmes are complemented by digital learning platforms offering online courses, blended learning modules and access to master trainers in various trades.
According to officials, these platforms allow skills training to reach millions of learners while also supporting collaboration with other countries.
Opportunities for Ghana–India Collaboration
Ms. Mukherjee emphasised that India is open to sharing its experiences with countries in Africa, particularly in designing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems and entrepreneurship programmes.
“We are eager to share insights from India’s skilling journey and explore possible collaborations with Central and West African countries,” she said.
She noted that India has developed centres of excellence and master trainer programmes that could support capacity building in partner countries.
Digital courses offered through India’s training platforms could also be adapted for use in other nations, providing flexible learning opportunities for young entrepreneurs and skilled workers.
Ghana’s Entrepreneurial Landscape
Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has grown steadily in recent years, driven largely by small and medium-sized enterprises that account for the majority of employment.
However, many of these businesses operate in the informal sector and face challenges including limited access to finance, skills shortages and weak technical training.
The experience of Indian entrepreneurs operating across West Africa illustrates the potential impact of strong skills foundations. Many Indian business owners who initially started small trading operations in the region have grown into large-scale industrial investors, creating jobs and contributing to local economies.
Observers say this trajectory underscores the role of structured skills development and entrepreneurship training in building resilient businesses.
Turning Skills into Economic Growth
For Ghana, the lessons from India’s experience highlight the importance of aligning education, skills development and entrepreneurship policy within a single national strategy.
Scaling up vocational institutions, strengthening apprenticeship systems, integrating skills training into schools and expanding entrepreneurship education could significantly enhance the country’s ability to generate sustainable employment.
As Ghana continues to prioritise industrialisation, digital innovation and SME development, adopting elements of India’s skills ecosystem may offer a pathway toward a more skilled workforce and a more dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
The interaction between African editors and Indian officials in New Delhi therefore goes beyond diplomatic exchange. It reflects a growing recognition that the future of entrepreneurship in many developing economies will depend largely on how effectively they invest in skills.
