Contemporary Issues about the Industrial Practical Skills Program in Ghana, Opinion of the Stakeholders: A Study of the Faculty of Creative Arts and Technology- Kumasi Polytechnic

Abstract

Training or education devoid of the requisite practical skills is not enough if professionals should function effectively in their work environments; hence the rationale for Industrial Practical Skills program instituted at the higher educational levels all over the globe. Effective program organization will enhance the benefits and satisfaction of the beneficiaries. Against this backdrop this study set out to verify how effective the IPS program at Kumasi Polytechnic (Faculty of Creative Art and Technology) was. In so doing the study applied case study with mixed method approach. 103 respondents were sampled through purposive sampling. The result indicates that only 51.8% viewed the pre-program activities as being effective with 43.2% holding the contrary position and the rest being “neutral”. 66% “agreed” that the actual practicum activities were effective, 18.3% “disagreed” with 16.53% “uncertain”. Notwithstanding that, they were generally not pleased with the post program aspect. On the average about 47.56% found the program activities to be easy, 30% challenged, with the rest holding the middle position. Approximately 59% of the attachés benefitted from the program to a “great” extent, nearly 26% “moderate” extent whilst the remaining benefitted to either “small” or “no” extent. On the whole whereas close to 61% were satisfied with the program, 25% were neither “satisfied” nor “dissatisfied” and with the rest not “satisfied” This means that much needs to be done concerning every aspect of the program in order to realize a successful program outcome capable of increasing satisfaction levels.

Keywords: Industrial practical skills, effective program, challenges, stakeholder satisfaction, program success

Acknowledgement: We are grateful to the Liaison Office-Kumasi Polytechnic, especially Mr. Fidelis Sunzuoye for his contribution to the study.