The Director General of the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), Anthony Kasore, has called for stronger collaboration between vocational training institutions and industries to ensure graduates are equipped with skills that match labour market demands.
During a two-day visit to Kigoma Region from April 9 to 10, 2026, Kasore said closer engagement with employers is key to improving the relevance and quality of training offered in technical colleges.
He toured VETA Kigoma and VETA Buhigwe to assess the implementation of the Wezesha Binti project, a joint initiative between VETA and the Belgian development agency Enabel.
Kasore said the sustainability of the project will depend on continued cooperation among all stakeholders, including training institutions, industries and development partners.
He urged colleges to ensure that investments made under the programme deliver long-term benefits.
He also stressed the need for practical, hands-on training, encouraging instructors to strengthen links with industries by visiting workplaces and facilitating student attachments to enhance real-world experience.
While inspecting workshops, Kasore noted significant improvements in infrastructure and the availability of modern training equipment, saying the upgrades are already contributing to better learning outcomes.
He pointed to the metal fabrication trade as an example, noting that modern machinery is helping trainees gain competitive skills that can enable them to secure employment locally and abroad.
Wezesha Binti Project Manager in Kigoma, Christine Karungi, said the initiative aims to empower youth, particularly girls and young women, by equipping them with skills for employment and entrepreneurship, while promoting environmental conservation.
She said more than Sh7.5 billion has been allocated to support seven vocational training centres, with a target of benefiting at least 2,300 young people.
The Wezesha Binti project is a partnership between the Government of Tanzania and Belgium through Enabel, targeting youth aged between 14 and 29, especially those in vulnerable conditions, to access skills training and decent employment opportunities.
