Accra, Feb. 11, GNA - The Chairman of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), Mr N.K. Bulley, on Monday called for a scheme to equip the youth with vocational training to enable them contribute meaningfully to the economy. "If we fail to do this, we will then be condemning this large body of youth to a life without a future." Mr Bulley who was addressing a workshop organised for English and Mathematics instructors in vocational and technical institutions in Accra, said, it was regrettable that such training had not received the needed attention in the past. He said he was happy that the new education reforms have recognised vocational and technical training, adding that basic literacy and numeracy skills were essential for proper appreciation of technical and vocational issues. Mrs Comfort Ntiamoa-Mensah, Director, Vocational Training for females (VTF) programme, said the thrust of the training was a learner-centred approach and effective way of teaching Mathematics and English to encourage the trainees, of which 90 per cent were females. She said improper management structures, low qualification level of instructors, lack of guidance and counselling, and lack of entrepreneurial skills training were some of the factors that had led to lack of recognition for vocational and technical graduates. She appealed to the government to post more Mathematics and English teachers to the institutions adding that the use of National Service Personnel and Part-Time Teachers to that critical subject might hamper the final results of the trainees.