DAR ES SALAAM: THE Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) and the Belgian Development Agency, Enabel, have signed a grant agreement worth more than 1bn/- to enhance VETA’s capacity to equip Tanzanian youth with skills relevant to the evolving labour market.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Enabel Country Director, Mr Goekint Koen, said the grant agreement will provide a direct financial contribution of 1.037bn/- (361,290 Euros), benefiting VETA Mwanza (193,305 Euros) and VETA Tanga (167,985 Euros).
He also said the grant agreement is under the Inclusive Green and Smart Cities implemented by Enabel as part of the European Union-funded Green and Smart Cities (SASA) Programme.
According to the agency, more than 1,000 youths in Mwanza and Tanga will benefit from programmes designed to enhance their readiness for employment, including continuous professional development and modular courses.
ALSO READ: VETA funds benefit 3,000 Women in Dodoma
Mr Koen said two vocational training centres will be upgraded to become centres of excellence, focusing on selected skills areas to provide high-quality, market- relevant training.
He said both centres will receive further support through specialised equipment and infrastructure improvements valued at approximately more than 1.4bn/- (500,000 Euros).
Given that Tanzania is a young nation, with over 70 per cent of its population under 35 and a median age of 17, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, Enabel believes this support will significantly improve vocational skills and create broader economic opportunities for youth.
“We believe this support will significantly improve vocational skillets, thereby creating broader and deeper economic opportunities for the youth,” said Mr Koen
