CICan, MoEST commit to inclusive skills training
ARUSHA: COLLEGES and Institutes Canada (CICan) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) have vowed to strengthen their collaboration to equip youth and women with skills across various fields including ICT, food processing, cuisine and gender equality.
The groups are set to benefit through a seven- year Empowerment through Skills Programme (ESP) (2021- 2028) funded by Global Affairs Canada with 25 million Canadian Dollars equivalent to 48.4bn/- The ESP Programme which began since 2021 is estimated to have already benefited over 700 youth and women in various skills of life as mentioned above.
In his opening remarks at the 2025 Empowerment through Skills Programme (ESP) Partnership Forum, delivered on his behalf by the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr Wilson Mahera, in Arusha recently, the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting inclusive skills development.
He stressed that the Ministry will continue to institutionalise best practices by equipping young people with vocational skills through Folk Development Colleges (FDCs) across the country.
Prof Mkenda said that Folk Development Colleges (FDCs) have introduced demand-driven vocational short courses tailored to local needs.
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These courses aim to equip graduates with practical skills that enable them to engage in economic activities based on the opportunities available within their communities. He further noted that the government through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, is implementing the Education and Training Policy 2014 (2023 edition ), with a strong commitment to expanding equitable access to education and skills training.
The policy especially targets women and youth, who have historically been underserved by traditional education systems.
“The ESP programme has been a key driver in actualising this commitment. We are celebrating a partnership that brings together 16 Canadian institutions and 24 Tanzanian institutions including 12 Folk Development Colleges across our regions and 12 dedicated Community-Based Organisations working at the grassroots level.
This integrated approach reflects a deep understanding that true empowerment must be responsive to local needs, inclusive, and context-specific,” said Prof Mkenda.
He added “Let me thank the government of Canada, the Global Affairs Canada, Colleges and Institutes Canada for your steadfast partnership. You have not only brought resources but also shared expertise, solidarity and vision. I also extend my appreciation to the team implementing ESP, your work is transforming lives of our youths and women.” For her part, Dr Alice Mumbi, a Country Representative, Colleges and Institutes Canada–Tanzania said that the forum brought together over 100 national and international delegates, and this being its fifth year, ESP has made notable strides in developing and piloting demand-driven short courses, strengthening ICT and daycare infrastructure across 12 partner FDCs, and training thousands of key community leaders in gender equality and human rights.
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“Our partnerships, local and international, are the heart of this program. This forum is a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing sustainable, inclusive skills development that empowers women economically and transforms communities,” said Dr Mumbi On her part, ESP Senior Technical Advisor–TVET Dr Paula Hayden, said that ESP is a movement toward equity and opportunity, and that forum reflects the power of partnership across continents, sectors, and communities to create practical pathways for young women and girls to thrive.
Speaking on behalf of other District Executive Directors (DEDs), Singida District Council DED, Ms Esther Chaula among other things noted that the ESP program has been beneficial to them as it provides different skills for youth like ICT skills, Day Care, ICT facilities like computers, projectors and trainings to instructors.
In another development, the Manager of Operations, Caribbean and Anglophone Africa-CICan Ottawa, Ms Alina Scutaru noted that the forum was a chance for them to reflect, connect and plan ahead, and adding that the progress they have made would not have been possible without their dedication, creativity and collaboration.
