Classic Continental Global Ltd. (CCGL), sole dealer of JCB equipment in Ghana, has partnered with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and the Ministry of  Youth Empowerment to train more than 140 young people in backhoe loader operation as demand for skilled technical personnel grows alongside the country’s infrastructure programme.

The programme focused on practical skills in backhoe loader operation, equipment maintenance and safety, with participants receiving both theoretical instruction and hands-on exposure to the JCB backhoe loader.

Opening the programme, Kwaku Sintim Boamah, CCGL Country Head, said the initiative was intended to combine technical skills development with employment opportunities for young people.

Professor Samuel K. Kwofie, Director of IAST at the University of Ghana, in a keynote address, emphasised the importance of industry-academia partnerships in addressing Ghana’s skills gap, particularly in the construction and infrastructure sectors. Nana Yaw Appea-Kumi, Head of Projects and Research at the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, also reaffirmed the government’s support for initiatives that equip young people with practical skills relevant to the economy

The Ministry provided more than 100 youth participants, while the University of Ghana contributed 40 participants to the programme. The training, led by Mr. Boamah and Vaibhav Chandrakant, covered the anatomy of the JCB backhoe loader, its major components and systems, safety procedures and equipment maintenance. Participants also observed practical demonstrations of the machine and were introduced to its applications across construction, agriculture, mining, water and sanitation, utilities and municipal works.

Infrastructure Programme, which includes projects involving roads, highways, bridges, culverts, drainage and community infrastructure. The programme currently has 77 projects across all 16 regions, with a reported government allocation of about GH¢30.8 billion for 2026. Described as “two machines in one”, the JCB backhoe loader combines a front loader with a rear excavator, allowing it to perform multiple tasks on construction sites. Its versatility can be further expanded through attachments such as hydraulic breakers, specialist buckets, pallet forks and compaction tools. “We do not just sell machines, we support productive machines throughout their working life.

Our partnership with IAST and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment is about building skills, creating opportunities, and driving development across Ghana,” Mr. Boamah said.

The training ended with the presentation of certificates of participation to trainees by Prof. Kwofie and Mr. Boamah. CCGL expands equipment availability CCGL has also announced that it has more than 20 JCB backhoe loaders in stock for immediate purchase, with the company offering the equipment at a reduced price. The available JCB 3DX and 3DX Plus/Pro models are designed for excavation and loading operations, while offering road mobility and operator comfort. The Pro models also feature high-speed travel capabilities for contractors operating across multiple sites. Beyond equipment sales, CCGL provides operator training, genuine spare parts, preventive maintenance and technical support as part of its after-sales services. The company said the approach is intended to support customers throughout the working life of their equipment while improving productivity and reducing operational downtime.

Source: https://thebftonline.com/article/ccgl-iast-youth-ministry-partner-to-tra...