Asankare (Ash), Dec 6, GNA - Principals of Youth Training Institutes in the country have expressed their appreciation to the government for integrating their salaries into the Ghana Universal Salary Scheme.

This, they pointed out, has brought significant improvement to their salary levels.

This was contained in a communiqu=E9 they issued at the end of their 30th national conference at Asankare in the Asante-Akim South district last Wednesday.

The communiqu=E9 also commended the government for its positive vision and increased attention towards the well being of the youth but asked the government to ensure that its subvention for feeding the trainees at the training institutes were released on time. The Principals, however, asked the government to improve upon the infrastructure, equipment and manpower situation in the various institutes to enable them offer quality training to the trainees. The communiqu=E9 said there was the need for follow-up outreach programmes to ensure that the trainees who pass out were well established in viable and sustainable ventures.

The principals urged the National Youth Co-ordinator to pay regular visits to the institutes to enable him obtain first hand information about their progress and limitations so as to address them accordingly.

They also charged the National Youth Council (NYC) to design and implement a comprehensive development scheme to further train and upgrade the skills of personnel in the institutes. The communiqu=E9 said it was also imperative for the NYC to institute a scheme of regular staff assessment, promotions and transfers to ensure effective and efficient work.

The Principals stated their resolve to continue to work with renewed commitment and zeal in spite of the daunting challenges to ensure the realization of government's laudable vision for the empowerment and development of the youth.