Apprenticeship training methods effect on quality in garment construction (a case study in Kumasi metropolis)

Abstract

Apprenticeship as a mode of training skilled labour has and continues to produce skilled labour in various fields of work to feed Ghanaian industries. The apparel industry in Ghana is one such industry which has most of its skilled labour trained by apprenticeship. In apprenticeship, master craftsmen train a new generation of skilled practitioners in their fields of expertise on the job. It is sad however to note that the quality levels of garments produced by such skilled persons do not compare favorably with international ones. The main objective of the study was therefore to examine the apprenticeship training programme in Ghana and its impact on the quality of construction in garments manufactured by apprentices and those trained by this method in Kumasi. This study used quantitative research approach thereby employing descriptive survey design, which also used questionnaires and interviews as the research tools. The snowball sampling technique was used to obtain the needed sample. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and the results tabulated for easy understanding. The study revealed that apprenticeship training needed improvement in instructional detail and recommends a syllabus structured and made available to both master craftsmen and apprentices. Aspects of quality construction in garments must also be taught to and instilled in trainees. It was also discovered that no uniform standards exist for the construction of quality garments for garment producers in Ghana and therefore the research recommends the provision of a garment standards and specifications document for them to adhere to.