In 2006, by Act 718, the Government of Ghana established the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET). The objective of the Council is to 'coordinate and oversee all aspects of technical and vocational education and training in the country'. One of the Council's functions is to 'source funding to support technical and vocational education and training (TVET) activities'. The establishment of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) is seen as one of a series of new mechanisms to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the TVET system and ensure sustainable sources of funding for TVET. The SDF is embedded in the Government's TVET policy which has as its mission to "improve the productivity and competitiveness of the skilled workforce and raise the income-earning capacities of people, especially women and low-income groups, through the provision of quality-oriented, industry-focused, and competency-based training programmes and complementary services".