The Vocational
Education and Training Authority (VETA), has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the West German Chamber of Crafts and Skilled Trades Council
(WHKT) for implementing a project worth 900,000 Euro, focusing on development
of technology in agriculture and construction through a dual apprenticeship
training model.
The MoU was signed on Thursday, August 17, 2017 by Moshi Kabengwe,
Director of Administration and Human Resources Management representing the
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr.
Leonard Akwilapo on one hand and the Chief Executive Officer of WHKT, Mr. Reiner Nolte on the other hand.
The signing
was witnessed by the Germany Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Detlef Waechter, Chairman of the VET Board, Mr. Peter Maduki, Ag Director General for
VETA, Dr. Bwire Ndazi and other officials from the Ministry of Education,
Science and Technology and delegates from the German Embassy.
The
MoU signed spells out that implementation of the project shall be effective
from the date of signing until 31st day of March, 2020 with
provision for extension upon completion depending on lessons learnt and the
mutual agreement between the project partners.
“The qualification of
mechanics and farmers shall be improved through the VETA-introduced dual
instructional course: Mechanic for Agro- and Construction Machinery Technology
and through practice-orientated training modules in post-harvest technology and
mechanics for farmers at selected locations in Tanzania,” part of the MoU states.
Implementation of the current project hires
experience from the partnership between VETA and Hamburg
Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK Hamburg) in dual apprenticeship training in the
fields of Automotive, Electrical Installation and Hospitality, which started
way back in 2011. The Dual
Apprenticeship system is a block release training system whereby apprentices
(trainees) spend different weeks of the year alternating between a training
centre and their workplaces.
Implementation
of the project is expected to achieve three main results namely, introduction of pilot dual apprenticeship
vocational training course in Mechanic for Agricultural and Construction
Machinery Technology; short courses/modules for post-harvest technology for
small farms and mechanics for farmers in selected vocational training centres; and the dual system anchored with
VETA in selected vocational fields, and contributes to vocational training
being more strongly orientated to the needs of the economy.
During the
signing, Germany Ambassador to Tanzania Dr. Detlef Waechter expressed happiness for the collaboration between VETA and German in
the project that expects to support Tanzanians, especially youth in providing
them with skills for improving productivity in agriculture.
He said
German has a strong experience in the dual apprenticeship mode of training and
that the collaboration will help Tanzania to borrow a leaf from German.
On his
part, Mr Kabengwe who represented the Ministry of Education, Science and
Technology expressed appreciation for the support and collaboration from German
and said that the project will enhance employability of vocational graduates as
they will learn modern technology in farming and machinery operation.
Ag Director General for VETA, Dr. Bwire Ndazi
expressed hopes for the project impact in reducing post-harvest loss of
agricultural produce.
Tanzania is one of the most dynamic markets in
sub-Saharan Africa, with an annual growth of 6 to 7 percent. It is one of the
least-industrialized countries in the world. The official unemployment numbers are given as
approximately 13%. The informal sector, or shadow economy, plays an important
role, employing more than 40% of the workforce.
Besides tourism, construction and transport
sectors, Agriculture is one of the important economic sectors in Tanzania. It
generates about 30% of its gross domestic product and employs around 70% of the
population, especially women.
Chances for agricultural development are seen
in a greater diversification of agricultural production. This could decrease
the dependence of the economy on individual commodities and their global market
prices.
The further processing of agricultural
commodities may create new jobs if the parameters for small and mid-sized
companies improve and the level of mechanization in agriculture increases.
Currently, only about 12% of farmers use tractors. The technology is often
obsolete, and many machines cannot be repaired due to lack of qualified
mechanics. The Tanzanian Government mission is to achieve a more efficient use
of farm machinery and machines for food processing. Adapted technologies,
quality standards, better after-sales services and training programmes on the
use of farm machinery should contribute to this.
The Dual Apprenticeship system is a block release
training system whereby apprentices (trainees) spend different weeks of the
year alternating between a training centre (VETA) and their workplaces. It is designed to help people, without
previous training, to enter the job market as apprentices in a craft of their
choice by signing Apprenticeship Contract with respective industries.
Dual Apprenticeship system of training was launched in
February 2011 as a pilot project involving Electrical, Automotive and
Hospitality occupations. Apprentices in
the electrical and automotive occupations were trained at VETA Dar es Salaam
Regional Vocational Training and Service Centre while those of the hospitality
occupation are trained in modernized facilities at VETA Moshi Regional
Vocational Training and Service Centre.
Throughout the training process, employers provide a
working and learning environment in which the apprentices can practice and
consolidate their skills acquired during their training in the training
centres. Employers also assign supervisors/mentors to monitor the training in
the company, liaise with the training centres, and rotate apprentices through
the different departments in the company to enable them to practice and further
their skills in all areas of the trade.
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