Reasons for non-completion among apprentices: the case of automotive trades of the informal sector in Ghana

Abstract

Apprenticeship plays a key role in the preparation of skilled trades people and as a pathway into labour markets. In the face of scarcity of resources, effectiveness and efficiency of apprenticeship become important. Attrition and retention in apprenticeship constitute important indicators of efficiency and effectiveness of the training system and are therefore legitimate issues of concern and investigation. This paper examines the reasons for non-completion of apprentices in automotive trades of the informal sector prior to Ghana’s introduction of a National Apprenticeship Programme seeking to formalise the current informal apprenticeship system. The paper also reports on non-completers’ desired interventions that could help prevent early exit. One-on-one interviews were conducted with 60 non-completers obtained through a snowballing process, either face-to-face or by telephone. The four largest urban centres in Ghana, namely Accra (and neighbouring Tema), Kumasi, Takoradi and Cape Coast were covered. Frequently mentioned reasons for non-completion included financial hardships, not getting on well with the boss or other people at the workplace, wrong career choice or loss of interest in the trade, being treated as cheap labour or being exploited, getting a new job, and bullying. To prevent early exit, the non-completers surveyed proposed some interventions that included financial support.