Dar es Salaam— The Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega, has instructed the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) to scale up efforts to register and empower engineering technicians, citing a significant gap between the number of those registered and those who are eligible.
Speaking during the 7th Technicians’ Day commemoration held in Dar es Salaam, Minister Ulega emphasized the need to expand opportunities for technicians and strengthen their role in national development.
The event brought together over 800 participants under the theme: “The Employment Framework for Technicians in the Public and Private Sectors.”
“I have been informed that ERB has registered slightly over 3,000 technicians to date. This number is far too low compared to the actual demand and the number of qualified professionals in the field. I am directing the board to enhance its efforts in registering eligible technicians and providing them with the necessary support,” Minister Ulega said.
He called on ERB to collaborate with training institutions that produce technicians to increase student enrollment in these programs and ensure graduates are adequately equipped for the job market.
Minister Ulega also directed the board to develop a comprehensive strategy to identify and certify technicians who have acquired skills through informal means, enabling them to join the formal workforce.
He urged ERB to expedite the ongoing review of the technician employment structure in partnership with the Ministry of Works and other relevant sectors.
“These directives, along with the resolutions from this meeting, must be submitted to the Ministry of Works no later than June 30 this year,” he stated.
Highlighting the government’s broader agenda, Minister Ulega reiterated Tanzania’s commitment to strengthening its industrial base by improving the business and investment environment, especially in industries that utilize locally sourced raw materials.
He encouraged technicians to maintain a high standard of professionalism, integrity, and dedication in executing projects within the allocated time and budget.
He further revealed that the Ministry of Works, in collaboration with key professional boards such as ERB and the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Registration Board (AQRB), has begun reviewing the career structure and benefits for professionals in the construction sector.
“I understand the challenges that technicians face, especially in career progression where a technician promoted to a senior position as an engineer is sometimes required to restart from the entry level. This needs to be addressed,” said Minister Ulega.
He also urged senior officials from the President’s Office – Public Service Management, who were present at the event, to be open and constructive in providing feedback and proposals for reforms.
“Please speak freely, but with respect and professionalism. Under the leadership of our President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, your views will be seriously considered,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water, Mwajuma Waziri, urged technicians to remain united and supportive of one another to achieve their professional goals.
“Technicians are a vital part of our development process. Their skills are essential in translating technical drawings into practical, on-the-ground implementation of projects,” she said.