The INVEST Project Steering Committee (PSC) on 13th June 2023 visited two Training Providers who are supporting the second cohort of the INVEST beneficiaries to acquire market-relevant and demand-driven male-dominated trades such as heavy-duty machine operation, electrical installation, and welding among others.  The aim of the visit was to see WUSC INVEST project work in supporting young women to participate in male-dominated sectors, observe the training procedure on the ground, gather relevant information to inform the next steps of programming and see and interact with INVEST trainees.

The team visited Lloyd Safety Engineer and Anointed Technical Training Institute (ATTI). At Lloyds, 27 young women are being trained in heavy-duty machine operation (Excavator, Backhoe, reach stacker and mobile crane) in 2 of the 3 project implementation cities (Accra and Takoradi) while ATTI is currently training 33 young women in Electrical installation and Solar installation.  The visiting team met these young women undergoing practical lessons on wiring and solar installation tutorials.

The team was happy to hear that 6 young women of the INVEST first cohort trainees are permanently employed by Anointed Electricals and happy at work. The school has further provided 5 young women with free accommodation for the current batch of trainees to ease the burden of transportation and other related costs.  We strongly encourage Training Providers and Industry to emulate this gesture and create an enabling environment for women to thrive in male-dominated trades.

The visit provided an excellent unique opportunity for WUSC and PSC members to assess and learn more about INVEST activities and results. Lessons learnt and experiences shared by these young women were encouraging and motivating enough to spur the WUSC INVEST project to continue working towards enhanced economic empowerment, well-being and inclusive economic growth for women in Ghana through innovative and strategic interventions.