VETA scraps mandatory uniform requirement
DODOMA: THE Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) has removed the mandatory uniform requirement for trainees in a move aimed at increasing access to vocational skills training.
Addressing Journalists in Dodoma recently, VETA Director General, Anthony Kasore, said the authority had reviewed the requirement to eliminate barriers that discouraged some prospective trainees from enrolling.
He said the move is part of broader reforms intended to make vocational education more inclusive and accessible to youth and other citizens seeking technical skills.
CPA Kasore noted that the authority remains committed to expanding opportunities for skills development in line with the government’s agenda to strengthen technical education and promote economic growth.
“For those who hesitated to join VETA because of the compulsory uniform, the good news is that the requirement has been removed. VETA is for everyone and we do not discriminate based on age,” he said.
He noted that some older applicants were reluctant to enroll due to concerns about being required to wear uniforms.
“There were people who feared joining VETA because they thought they would be required to wear uniforms despite their age. That concern has now been addressed,” he added.
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However, CPA Kasore clarified that appropriate protective or professional attire will still be required within workshops and training areas to align with occupational standards.
“The only requirement will apply when trainees are in workshops or practical training areas. For example, those studying cookery will wear chef uniforms while in training facilities to help them adapt to real work environments,” he explained.
He said the move is expected to attract more members of the public who were previously discouraged by the uniform policy. At the same time, he emphasised that although mandatory uniforms have been scrapped, VETA has issued guidelines requiring trainees to dress decently and in accordance with Tanzanian cultural values.
“It does not mean that trainees can dress anyhow they wish. We have considered our cultural norms and national values to ensure dress codes remain respectful and appropriate,” he said.
I also believe it is both appropriate and timely to remove the requirement of wearing uniforms, as doing so would significantly boost confidence—especially among older students. There are individuals who wish to pursue vocational training at a later stage in life, many of whom already have families, but they hesitate to apply because they feel uncomfortable wearing uniforms. They fear being perceived as unusual or out of place within their communities.
Moreover, there are young people who have already graduated from various universities but are reluctant to return and wear uniforms again, as they worry about being judged or viewed differently by relatives and members of society.
Overall, removing the uniform requirement would create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for learners of different ages and backgrounds.