The Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) has called on Tanzanian families to enroll young people in vocational training programmes, saying practical skills are key to improving employment opportunities and promoting self-reliance among youth.
The appeal was made by VETA Carpentry Instructor, Ayubu Omari, during a briefing with journalists visiting the authority’s pavilion at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba), being held at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds in Dar es Salaam.
Omari said VETA is committed to preparing young Tanzanians with technical and entrepreneurial skills that enable them to create jobs, establish businesses and compete effectively in the labour market.
He said vocational education goes beyond teaching technical skills, as trainees are also equipped with entrepreneurship knowledge to help them transform their skills into sustainable sources of income.
“Through vocational training, young people gain skills that can help them become self-employed or secure employment in different sectors. We encourage parents and guardians to support their children to join these programmes,” Omari said.
He explained that Sabasaba provides an important opportunity for VETA to showcase the contribution of vocational education in addressing youth unemployment by producing graduates with practical abilities demanded by the economy.
“In my area, I teach carpentry. We offer a two-year course as well as short courses that run between three and six months,” he said.
At the exhibition, VETA is displaying various furniture products produced by students using locally available timber, highlighting the potential of vocational skills in creating quality products and supporting local industries.
Among the innovations showcased is a specially designed toilet stool for people with leg disabilities, aimed at improving safety and independence for individuals with mobility challenges.
“The stool helps a person with mobility difficulties to use toilet facilities more easily and safely,” Omari said.
VETA has also displayed an expandable cabinet designed to meet the changing needs of households. The furniture can be adjusted depending on the size of a user’s room, making it suitable for people starting out in small living spaces and later moving to larger homes.
Omari said the cabinet is made using durable timber treated to withstand termite damage, ensuring long-term use.
He added that such innovations demonstrate how vocational training can encourage creativity, improve livelihoods and support Tanzania’s industrial development agenda.
Through its training programmes, VETA continues to promote skills development among young people, providing them with opportunities to participate in economic activities through employment and entrepreneurship.
