DODOMA: THE Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) has intensified implementation of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s agenda to position skills-based education as a driver of employment creation, productivity and national development.
Through VETA, the government is expanding vocational training opportunities across the country by constructing and upgrading training centres, modernising curricula and introducing targeted programmes that equip youth, women and marginalised groups with practical skills relevant to the modern economy.
Speaking to journalists yesterday in Dodoma, VETA Executive Director Mr Anthony Kasore said the government has made significant investments to expand the authority’s footprint.
Currently, VETA operates 80 centres nationwide, serving more than 86,000 trainees annually.
“This is a nationwide network of opportunity that touches the lives of thousands of young Tanzanians seeking their place in today’s and tomorrow’s economy,” he said.
Mr Kasore noted that the government aims to ensure every district has at least one VETA-owned college. Construction is ongoing in 64 districts, alongside a regional centre in Songwe valued at 100bn/-.
Preparations are also underway for five zonal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) polytechnics, while two additional colleges in Bumbuli and Sengerema councils are expected to be handed over to VETA.
“By 2027, VETA will have 152 colleges nationwide, increasing annual enrolment capacity to 250,000 trainees,” he said, adding that infrastructure upgrades in existing centres, including new workshops, dormitories and classrooms are also in progress.
To accommodate the growing interest in vocational training among graduates, VETA has introduced exemptions for diploma, degree and master’s degree holders. In 2026, a total of 134 applicants with higher academic qualifications enrolled in long-term vocational training programmes.
“These applicants are exempted from units they previously studied, shortening their training period while increasing the number of highly skilled Tanzanians,” Mr Kasore explained.
“For example, instead of spending two years completing Level One and Two skills, they now complete the programme within one year.”
VETA is also expanding digital learning through the VSOMO platform, which allows learners to study theoretical components via mobile phones, tablets or computers, sit for online examinations and later attend practical sessions at designated centres.
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Currently, 20 courses are available on the platform. “This approach reduces time spent on campus and ensures that even those living far from VETA centres can access training,” he said.
He said VETA is implementing the Integrated Training for Entrepreneurship Promotion (INTEP) programme, targeting 2,000 youth and women annually.
By January 2026, the initiative had benefited 7,040 informal sector workers, including food vendors, tailors, carpenters and food processors. Working with development partners, VETA also continues to provide shortterm training across multiple sectors.
Among the initiatives is the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) project, which has equipped 5,631 young people with skills in agribusiness and food systems.
For the 2025/2026 financial year, VETA aims to certify 30,000 artisans under the national Mama Samia Skills Formalisation Programme, which seeks to formalise the skills of 80,000 youth by June 2027.
Last year, the authority partnered with Wanawake na Samia to train 16,000 women in tailoring, culinary arts, plumbing, pipe-laying, decoration and driving.
Many of the beneficiaries have since formed groups eligible to compete for public procurement opportunities, as the Public Procurement Act reserves 30 per cent of tenders for special groups.
“VETA has also signed an agreement with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) to support these groups in participating in public tenders. In 2026, this initiative will target an additional 3,000 women,” Mr Kasore said.