Accra Technical University (ATU) has hosted an Industry-Demand Skills and Specialist Training Programme for engineering students as part of efforts to prepare them with the practical and specialised skills needed in today’s engineering industry.
Held on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, at the University Auditorium, the programme brought together engineering students, University officials and industry experts to discuss the skills employers are looking for and how students can prepare themselves for a profession that continues to change with technology.
Welcoming participants, the Dean of International Programmes and Institutional Cooperation, Prof. Peter Arhenful, said one of the major challenges in the job market is finding professionals with the specialised skills required by industry.
He therefore encouraged students to go beyond earning academic qualifications and deliberately develop practical skills that respond to the needs of employers.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of ATU, Engr. Prof. Felix Y. H. Kutsanedzie, also drew attention to the changing nature of engineering and the influence of new technologies on the profession.
He explained that engineering students need to understand the skills currently in demand and how these skills are being applied in industry. He urged them to keep learning and updating their knowledge as technology and engineering practices evolve.
Speaking on the importance of collaboration between universities and industry, Dr. Richard Addo-Tenkorang, Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, explained the thinking behind the partnership between Integrity Access Solution (IAS), UK, and Accra Technical University.
According to him, engineering education should provide students with opportunities to experience real industry situations alongside what they learn in the classroom. Such exposure, he said, would help students understand professional practices, industry expectations and international standards.
Dr. Paul Sukpe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of IAS, UK, encouraged students to position themselves as specialist engineers who can respond to the changing needs of modern industry.
He noted that opportunities are opening up for younger engineers as experienced professionals gradually leave the workforce. Students, he said, must prepare themselves with the right skills to take advantage of these opportunities.
Dr. Sukpe added that the future engineer will need a combination of technical knowledge, specialised skills, adaptability, analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. He encouraged students to develop the habit of carefully examining problems, considering available evidence and making informed professional decisions.
The Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Stephen Bani, reminded the students that academic qualifications become even more valuable when they are supported by practical skills.
He encouraged them to take advantage of opportunities to learn new skills and build competencies that would make them stand out when they enter the job market.
The Industry-Demand Skills and Specialist Training Programme reflects ATU’s continued focus on practical and industry-responsive education and its efforts to prepare students with skills that can be applied in the workplace.