By Jones Anlimah
Plan International Ghana, in partnership with Hyundai Motor Company, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Plan International Korea, has launched a five-year initiative to strengthen Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system and equip young people with skills for the automotive industry.
Known as the Hyundai-KOICA NextGen Project, the initiative seeks to improve the quality of automotive training, strengthen links between TVET institutions and industry, and create pathways for young people to access employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The project, which runs from 2026 to 2030, has been launched in Accra under the theme “Empowering the youth to drive automotive excellence in Ghana.”
For Plan International Ghana, the initiative forms part of efforts to create opportunities for young people, particularly young women, to acquire practical skills that can improve their economic prospects and contribute to more inclusive employment.
The project will support the development of maintenance technology education centres, providing improved training environments and practical learning opportunities in automotive maintenance.
Beneficiaries will also be exposed to emerging technologies, including hybrid and electric vehicle systems, as the automotive industry continues to evolve.
The initiative will work with the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Education, Ghana TVET Service and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET).
Selected institutions, including Accra Technical Institute (ATI) and the Ho Technical University (HTU), are expected to benefit from the intervention.
The Acting Country Director of Plan International Ghana, Frederick Tei-Nobi, said the partnership reflects the organisation’s commitment to creating opportunities that enable young people to build secure, productive and fulfilling futures.
He said Plan International Ghana was committed to working with the project partners to ensure that the initiative delivers meaningful and sustainable results for young people and their communities.
Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Planning at Hyundai Motor Company, Joongsun Ko, said the initiative would strengthen Ghana’s automotive industry by equipping young people with skills in the latest automotive technologies.
He said an updated curriculum covering developments in hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance would help prepare Ghanaian youth for the future of mobility.
The initiative is expected to contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 on Quality Education, SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
The emphasis on young women is particularly significant as the project seeks to expand their participation in automotive skills development and contribute to greater gender inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Plan International Ghana is part of Plan International, an independent development and humanitarian organisation that works with children, young people, communities and partners to address inequality and promote opportunities for girls and young people.
The Hyundai-KOICA NextGen Project was previously referred to as the Automotive Service Excellence and Youth Empowerment (ASEYE) Project during its development and preparation.
The partners expect the five-year intervention to contribute to the development of a skilled, inclusive and future-ready automotive workforce, while creating new opportunities for young people to participate in Ghana’s industrial and economic development.
