The Global Apparel Training Association (GATA) is as an Association (non-profit organization) in Ghana that often works in close partnership with EAA Ltd. GATA focuses on the training needs of the growing apparel sector in Ghana from a public ecosystem standpoint.
GATA believes that the key to success for a new industry hub is the development of outstanding local talent at every level of garment factories, from operators to technicians to GMs. GATA supports individuals to attain the hard and soft skills needed to shape rewarding careers. In this way we believe that we can have a meaningful impact on workers' lives, the majority of whom are women, and on their ability to provide for their families and communities.
To date the Association has designed and launched two flagship programs: A training Centre of Excellence in conjunction with GIZ, and a Technical SME export readiness program in partnership with the FCDO:
The Ghana Apparel Training & Service
The Ghana Apparel Training & Service Centre was set up in conjunction with GIZ under their DeveloPPP programme, a program of the German development cooperation.
GATA provided international experts and key skills training for factories and independent students to help the industry to be fit for purpose in the future.
Practical Courses included Digital Pattern Making, Mechanics, Production management, Industrial Engineering and Quality.
The project trained over 200 students from 35 factories supported by private partners such as Ethical Apparel Africa, Gerber, Groz Beckert and Freudenberg.
The Centre has now been handed over to the Accra Technical Training Centre who continue to run the courses with trainers trained by GATA and an official certification system.
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Technical Assistance to SMEs
GATA worked with the UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Organisation under the Jobs and Economic Transformation (JET) programme to train and build the capacity of local garment industries to achieve international standards.
GATA's approach was based on two main objectives:
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Develop domestic garment manufacturers and support them to scale
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Attract foreign investment for vertically integrated operations in Ghana
We managed a placement programme of international experts into 6 factories located from two regions that were ready to export. These experts then trained the local teams on how to develop and enforce Standard of Operating Procedures and oversaw the first successful exports.
In addition the programme trained and facilitated 3 factories to achieve SMETA certification.
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