August 7-8, Ho, Ghana – Ho Technical University achieved a significant milestone in student development with its first-ever career fair with support from The Education Collaborative’s Career Fair Initiative. The event brought together 16 companies from sectors including banking, telecommunications, and recruitment. Over two days, approximately 1,000 students engaged directly with industry professionals, exploring career opportunities and gaining insights into the demands of the professional world.
Employers from companies such as Jobberman Ghana Limited, Ena Fashion, the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Water Company, and MTN interacted with students, offering insights and advice. The two-day event offered a dynamic platform for students to explore potential career paths, engage with potential employers, and gain valuable insights into industry trends and demands. Through one-on-one interactions with company representatives and panel discussions, students were equipped with essential career preparation skills.
Organized by the university’s Directorate of Career Placement and Counseling, the maiden fair was a collaborative effort made possible through the support of The Education Collaborative. Since joining The Collaborative in 2022, Ho Technical University has been actively involved in various initiatives designed to enhance student employability. A key event in this journey was the 2023 Career Strategy Workshop, which laid the foundation for the university’s enhanced approach to career services.
“Our journey with The Education Collaborative has been transformative for our directorate,” shared Edem Kodzo Honu, Acting Director of Career Placement and Counselling at Ho Technical University. “Participating in the Career Strategy Workshop last November was a pivotal moment. We were able to design a one-year program that significantly enhanced the services we provide to our students. This workshop helped us identify key soft skills to focus on, improve our alumni relations, and better engage with industry partners. One critical takeaway from the workshop was the importance of evaluating our programs and activities, which we had previously overlooked.”
The Career Strategy Workshop is a core initiative of The Education Collaborative, designed to guide higher education institutions in developing robust career strategies. These workshops provide a structured framework for enhancing or establishing career centers, ultimately preparing students for the competitive job market. Through this partnership, Ho Technical University secured a grant that was crucial in organizing its inaugural career fair.
Mercy Kusiwaa Frimpong, Director of Communications at The Education Collaborative, highlighted the significance of this event: “Ho Techical’s selection as one of five institutions in Africa to receive our support for a career fair is a testament to their commitment to student success. The Education Collaborative is proud to support the development, planning, and execution of this fair because we believe in the transformative power of education and the importance of preparing students to be industry-ready or to create sustainable jobs that address societal challenges. By supporting institutions in connecting students to employers, we aim to increase graduate employability, which can drive economic growth and development in Africa.”
Over the years, The Education Collaborative has worked closely with partner institutions, providing support, mentorship, and resources to improve graduate outcomes. Initiatives like the Career Fair Initiative are part of the Collaborative‘s support services. It assists higher education institutions in organizing and hosting successful career fairs on their campuses, building employer relationships, and connecting students with potential employers.
“We are proud to host such an event and grateful for the partnerships that made it possible,” said Dr. Ben Q. Honyenuga, Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University. “This fair has brought significant value to our students’ education and training, and we look forward to continuing this important work.”
