Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP)
Sinapi Aba is passionate about building a community where everyone cares for each other as enshrined in its vision statement: ‘Building a nation under the almighty God, where the strong helps the weak and all people have the dignity to providing for one self, the church and the community’. One of the means employed by Sinapi Aba to achieve this is through its Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP).
YAP was birthed in 2003 to support the vulnerable youth in Ghana to acquire employable skills so they can make meaningful contribution to themselves and society. Beneficiaries are selected through rigorous interview processes and orientation before they are attached to professionals (Trade Masters) who provide them with hands-on training for two years and six months. Beneficiaries have the responsibility of choosing the trade they so desire to learn guided by the YAP team.
The beneficiaries receive a sponsorship packages which includes working tools, feeding support, formal training with Government Agencies and counselling services that can help make their trainings solid. Additionally, the capacities of beneficiaries are built in business skills, health care and trade skill areas at intervals of every 6 months. The Trade Masters themselves are also given further training so as to impact their trainees in an effective manner. To further enhance their knowledge, beneficiaries are hooked unto the Government’s National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) proficiency examination after two and half years where they are awarded with certificates (which further affords them the opportunity to be employed by various establishments in their chosen fields of training should they choose not to be self-employed).
After graduation, beneficiaries have the option to either prepare to start their own businesses or continue to work with their Trade Masters (known locally as ‘work and pay’) as partners earning wages. Those who opt to start their own business qualify for interest free start-up capital loan from Sinapi Aba. The cost of the project is borne by Sinapi Aba and its partners – Opportunity International.
The number of Ghanaian youth who have benefitted from YAP since 2003 exceed 2,000. Currently, beneficiaries under training numbers 1,080 and they are in Accra, Agona Swedru, Asante Mampong, Berekum, Dormaa Ahenkro, Seikwa, Nkrankwanta, Cape Coast, Mankessim and Assin Fosu.
Sinapi Aba is committed to helping the active and vulnerable poor who are willing to change their destiny positively.