Kongwa invests in vocational skills to empower youth

DODOMA: KONGWA District Council in Dodoma Region is stepping up efforts to equip more young people with education and vocational skills, opening pathways to economic independence and improved livelihoods.

Speaking during the fourth graduation ceremony of Kongwa Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) College, the Council’s Vice-Chairperson, Mr Richard Mwite, pledged that the council would sustain its efforts to support young people in accessing quality education and vocational training to improve their future prospects.

A total of 12 students sponsored by the council through its own-source revenue graduated alongside other trainees.

The graduates acquired practical skills in various fields, including tailoring and fashion design, electrical installation, motor vehicle mechanics and carpentry.

Mr Mwite urged members of the public, particularly young people, to support the government’s development efforts by taking advantage of the training opportunities offered by Kongwa VETA College to acquire various vocational skills.

The Vice-Chairperson, who was the guest of honour at the ceremony, said the council was proud to see the young people successfully complete their training and gain skills that would enable them to become economically selfreliant.

For his part, Kongwa VETA College Principal, Mr Abdulkadir Yusuph said 12 of the 95 graduates had received sponsorship from Kongwa District Council.

He appealed to the council’s leadership to consider allocating a portion of its ownsource revenue to support graduates with start-up capital upon completion of their training.

In their address to the guest of honour, the graduates said they had acquired various skills and were ready to put their knowledge into practice and contribute to national development.

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In a related development, the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adolf Mkenda, recently launched the Skills Recognition and Certification Programme in Dodoma, describing it as part of the implementation of the Education and Training Policy of 2014 (2023 Edition) and President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of recognising and formalising skills acquired outside the formal education system.

Prof Mkenda said the programme was aligned with the objectives of the National Development Vision 2050, which seeks to produce skilled and knowledgeable professionals capable of supporting a competitive economy, boosting productivity and addressing social challenges.

He noted that the government-funded programme aims to reach 80,000 young people by June 2027. Between April 7 and 29, 2026, a total of 14,400 young people from 11 regions had already registered to have their skills formally recognised and certified.

The Minister also urged employers to be prepared to recruit young people whose skills would be certified through the Mama Samia Skills Recognition and Certification Programme, implemented by VETA.