The Nature of Apprenticeship Training and Quality Assurance Practices in the Informal Automobile Sector in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

This study addresses a significant knowledge gap in the existing literature on apprenticeship training in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a specific focus on Ghana. Despite concerns regarding the quality of informal apprenticeship training, empirical research on quality assurance practices within this sector remains scarce. This qualitative study, employing purposive sampling and a multi-method approach (focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and expert interviews), investigates the nature of apprenticeships and quality assurance practices within the informal automobile apprenticeship sector in Accra, Ghana. The findings reveal that while individual master craftspeople continually adapt their training practices, associational life—a crucial factor in enhancing training quality—remains underdeveloped. Furthermore, the sector is characterised by a fragile regulatory framework, which has significant implications for training quality. This study contributes to the growing body of literature advocating for a policy re-evaluation of the informal-formal divide in education, while highlighting the impact of globalisation on informal education practices in the Global South.