DATA on jobs created between 2020 and 2024 shows that seven million jobs have been generated, with the informal private sector employing 6.1m people, representing 87.1 percent of total jobs, the government has affirmed.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa made this affirmation when officiating at an event to mark 30 years of the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), asserting that most of those who took up specific vocations of employment opportunities have vocational training. 

The formal sector employs 907,873 people (12.9 percent of total jobs), where the majority have higher education qualifications, he said, urging stakeholders in education and vocational training to provide training that is aligned with actual needs of the job market.

The needs of the job market need to be updated through regular research conducted in collaboration with the government, the private sector and international organizations, he said, noting that rapid technological advancement makes it essential for VETA to intensify its efforts to cope with global technological changes.

“Offer vocational training that keeps up with technological changes, including modern technological skills that enhance productive output,” he said, citing data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) showing that approximately 70 percent of actual employment openings worldwide are in the private sector.

They primarily employ individuals with vocational education, especially in agriculture, construction, transportation and social services, urging more intense collaboration between Education, Science and Technology ministry and the Regional Administration and Local Governments wing of the President’s Office (PO-RALG), along with Industry and Trade to bring to fruition the construction of 65 vocational training centres at present, swiftly.

Completing these government-funded centres are part of the commitment by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to equip the youth with practical skills, as once the construction of these centres are completed, VETA will have a total of 145 training centres in all 26 regions and all districts across the country. 

Furthermore, of the existing 80 centres, 30 were completed during the past four years, he said, asking VETA to ensure that training opportunities are well-publicized so that young people, especially those in rural areas, are aware of them.

“It is very likely that there are young people in various parts of the country, especially in rural areas, who are not aware of available training opportunities,” he asserted.

Anthony Kasore, VETA director general, said that the institution is committed to improving training, to provide skills enabling the country has a properly skilled workforce.

The government had done good work investing in skills development as that will enable many youths to improve their labour market and eventually economic status, he added.