TZ, Swiss launch 24bn/- project to impart skills for employment

A SECOND phase of the Skills for Employment Tanzania project (SET II) valued at Swiss Franc 9.5 million (equivalent to 24bn/-) has been launched in Dar es Salaam with over 10,000 youth expected to be reached.

The Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Omar Kipanga, and the Ambassador of Switzerland to Tanzania, Mr Didier Chassot on Friday launched the four-year Project which will also capacitate at least 300 teachers in non-formal Vocational Skills Development (VSD).

“The project contributes to improved VSD for youths between 15 and 24 years, including young mothers in Morogoro Region with potential expansion to Iringa and Mbeya Regions,” Switzerland Embassy statement said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Kipanga equally appreciated the cooperation with Switzerland and the provision of solid expertise in the vocational education and training sector.

He emphasised the importance of the project’s focus on jobs and self-employment opportunities in the informal sector and selected sectors of the economy, most notably the agriculture sector, where most of the jobs are and can be created.

Additionally, he highlighted the timely support and collaboration of SET II for Folk Development Colleges and local NGOs.

In his remarks, Ambassador Chassot appreciated the long-standing cooperation between Switzerland and Tanzania and promised to support the SET project for another four years.

He underlined the immense potential of young people in Tanzania and the importance of equipping them with the right sets of skills, so that they are ready to join the labour market and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of Tanzania.

Swisscontact Country Director, Ms Sabine Roth noted, during her presentation, that the support of SET II would focus on non-formal VSD as the majority of youths will work in the informal sector and will have to create livelihood through local self-employment.

The SET II project aims at improving chances of gainful youth (self-) employment in response to the youth employment challenges in Tanzania.

The project contributes to improved non-formal VSD for youths between 15 and 24 years, including young mothers, in Morogoro Region with potential expansion to Iringa and Mbeya Regions.

Funded by the Government of Switzerland, the project is being implemented by Swisscontact, a Swiss NGO, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and other public and private sector partners.

Swisscontact is an International NGO registered in Tanzania. With funding from the Government of Switzerland, Swisscontact is implementing the Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET) project.

Phase I of the project started in 2018 and ended in 2022. Phase II of the project, which was approved in 2022, will be implemented in Morogoro Region with potential expansion to Iringa and Mbeya regions.

The Government of Switzerland has supported bilateral and regional projects in Tanzania since early 1960s.

In 1981, Tanzania became a priority country for official Swiss development assistance. The Swiss Cooperation Programme Tanzania 2021 – 2025 aims at empowering young people, especially poor young women, to advance socially and economically.