Ministry emphasises skills for youths

DODOMA: THE government is working to ensure that youths acquire the necessary skills through the National Skills Development Programme, enabling them to secure employment and participate effectively in industrial and strategic projects.

Deputy Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office – (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations), Rahma Kisuo, said this in Dodoma yesterday, noting that the government is also implementing various policies and laws to ensure that major projects create employment opportunities for Tanzanians.

She made the remarks in the National Assembly while responding to Special Seats MP Ms Jasmine Ng’umbi’s question, who sought to know the plans in place to ensure youth benefit from employment opportunities in major projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and airports.

In her response, the Deputy Minister said the initiatives are in line with the National Employment Policy of 2008, the National Energy Policy of 2015, the Petroleum Act (Cap. 392), and the Mining Act (Cap. 123).

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Kisuo said that through major projects being implemented in the country, youths are benefiting from employment opportunities across various sectors.

For example, more than 35,000 jobs have been created in the construction of the SGR, over 10,000 jobs in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, and more than 2,497 jobs in the construction of Msalato International Airport in Dodoma and the expansion of Julius Nyerere International Airport.

Additionally, more than 1,500 jobs have been created in the construction of the Kigongo–Busisi Bridge and over 3,000 jobs in the expansion of the Dar es Salaam Port.