Residents urged to support VETA students

DODOMA: KONGWA District residents have been urged to support students of the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) by using products and services made at the institution as part of efforts to promote skills development and youth empowerment.

The appeal was made by the Acting Director of Kongwa District Council, Mr Fortunatus Mabula, during the third graduation ceremony for 80 students who completed Level II training in various trades at VETA Kongwa.

Mr Mabula said the institution was established to directly serve the community and called on residents to embrace products such as bricks, motor vehicle repair services and tailoring works produced by students.

He further encouraged VETA Kongwa leadership to enhance publicity of their work so that the community can better appreciate and support the skills being developed at the centre.

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Mr Mabula also urged parents to enrol their children in VETA centres to gain practical skills and avoid idleness among young people, noting that VETA training offers a direct route to self-employment.

For his part, VETA Kongwa Acting Principal, John Magulyati, said the institution has introduced short courses to ensure no Tanzanian is left behind due to social challenges, including girls who dropped out of school due to pregnancy.

The programme allows young mothers with babies aged from three months to attend training.

In a statement, the graduates appealed to the government to provide them with start-up tools and equipment in their respective trades, saying the support would ease their transition into self-employment and entrepreneurship.