VETA and Airtel Embark On Providing Vocational Skills with the Help of a Mobile App Facility VSOMO

 Airtel Tanzania through its Corporate Social Responsibility program has partnered with Tanzania’s Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) to kick off the first phase of a new application dubbed “VSOMO”. VSOMO which stands for VETA SOMO learning will extend Airtel FURSA scope to reach more youths by providing a bouquet of VETA courses online.

Speaking about the partnership, Airtel Managing Director Sunil Colaso said “We see it crucial to invest in VSOMO application because we have seen and recognized our youths increased thirst for learning and getting certified. Smartphone users increase every day, today more than 10 million customers use smartphones out of these, around 70% are youth. This is why today we have smart phones in the market that are easily accessible and cost as low as 80,000Tshs to promote E- learning”. 

“We believe through VETA and Airtel FURSA partnership we will create a unique platform for many youths across the country to access vocational skills conveniently, at their fingertips, anytime anywhere through their mobile phones. We are confident this application will enhance the overall education levels for the youth of Tanzania, to become better entrepreneurs and better employees with relevant skills in their areas of interest” added Colaso.

On his side during the VSOMO inauguration ceremony, Acting Director General VETA Mr. Geoffrey Sabuni said “I am humbled to be part of this historic kickoff of the Mobile learning facility usage in the country for the purpose of providing Tanzanians with increased access to Vocational Education Training- VET”. Mr. Sabuni commends the team who took the lead in VSOMO innovation which enables the country today for the first time in the history of vocational training provision to witness its citizens being transformed, ready to be part and players of the mid-income economy. VETA Ag. Director General emphasized that VSOMO usage is in line with VETA goals of increasing VET access and he is expecting that the successful completion of the first phase will lead to further replication hence reaching a bigger number of youths.

Speaking about the technology, Principal VETA Kipawa ICT Center Eng. Luteganya confirmed that online study is very common in the world but he believes that Tanzania will be the first country to embark into mobile vocational training. VETA receives around fifteen thousand applications annually but only one third applicants get enrolled leaving two third without preferred access. VSOMO App will significantly increase our capacity to train more Tanzanians especially the youth and therefore increase skilled people in the labor market to match with envisioned economic growth, said Luteganya.

To ensure that quality of vocational education is not compromised, Eng. Luteganya added that “all who are enrolled with VSOMO will be required to sit for exams and qualify for practical training to be offered at VETA colleges across the country”. VETA short courses certificates will be granted to those who pass both stages of theory and practical training, he confirmed.

Commenting on VSOMO, Airtel’s Corporate Affairs Director Beatrice Singano, said “the VSOMO application will be accessible to all Airtel customers who use smart phones powered by Android. Ms. Singano further clarified that customers can freely download VSOMO App on Google play store and registers themselves for free. Upon completion of 40% theory online, a user will register online for practical sessions at any nearest VETA center of his/her choice. Practical sessions take two (2) weeks strictly equivalent to sixty (60) hours where on completion a trainee will sit for practical exams to pass with a minimum of 60% mark. To start with 6 courses ranging from motorbike mechanics to household electrical installations shall be offered in the application”, she noted.

Director Ms. Singano said “upon registration trainees will be required to pay discounted short course fee of Tzs 120,000/= via Airtel Money number *150*60#”. We encourage youths to take up this golden opportunity to conveniently and affordably acquire vocational skills as the fee is highly subsidized, she concluded.