Degree holders among 14,433 joining VETA courses

Dodoma: A total of 14,433 students, including 123 bachelor’s and master’s degree holders, have been selected to join various vocational training programmes offered by the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) for the 2026 academic year.

Announcing the selection results in Dodoma yesterday, VETA Director General CPA Anthony Kasore said the figure represents 76 per cent of all applicants, adding that the remaining 24 per cent will be considered after consenting to join alternative programmes, as they had initially applied for only one course.

He said of the students selected directly, 8,776 are male, accounting for 61 per cent, while 5,657 are female, equivalent to 39 per cent.

CPA Kasore noted that as VETA continues to expand enrollment and enhance flexibility, particularly for working learners, 12,942 of the selected students will attend morning sessions, while 1,491 will pursue evening programmes.

He further said that a total of 134 applicants holding certificates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees applied for various programmes at VETA-affiliated colleges, of whom 123 were selected directly, while 11 were placed on a waiting list.

According to the VETA boss, students with higher academic qualifications will be exempted from some subjects such as communication skills and entrepreneurship, allowing them to focus more on practical training.

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Regarding students with special needs, CPA Kasore said that 145 out of 195 applicants were selected to pursue different courses, while the remaining 50 were placed on a waiting list. He explained that the selected students have various challenges, including visual and hearing impairments, and added that the government will cover all their training fees.

“Our position is that VETA is for all, regardless of academic qualifications, gender, location or other challenges. The authority continues to plan and implement programmes aligned with its vision and the national development agenda under DIRA 2050,” he emphasised.

He also revealed that VETA has removed the mandatory aptitude test from the selection criteria to widen access to vocational training, a move that contributed to the selection of 76 percent of applicants. Analysis of applications not selected directly is still ongoing.

In terms of course preference, electric-related programmes attracted the highest number of applicants at 2,980, equivalent to 20.65 percent of all applicants, while handloom weaving and plant operations recorded the lowest interest, each attracting only three applicants.