DODOMA: THOUSANDS of graduates from newly introduced university programmes will now qualify for public service jobs following the government’s review of schemes of service to accommodate emerging professions and academic disciplines.
Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Ridhiwani Kikwete, said the reforms were designed to ensure graduates from newly established academic programmes can compete for public service vacancies alongside those from traditional disciplines.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 National Public Service Week celebrations in Dodoma yesterday, Mr Kikwete said the review covered schemes of service across ministries, departments and public institutions to reflect changing labour market demands and emerging areas of expertise offered by universities and colleges.
The reforms affect a wide range of sectors, including health, education, law, engineering, agriculture, livestock, information and communication technology (ICT), energy and other specialised fields.
“The objective is to expand opportunities for graduates from various disciplines to qualify for public service employment whenever vacancies are advertised,” he said.
Mr Kikwete urged universities and higher learning institutions to consult the President’s Office before introducing new academic programmes to ensure they are aligned with public service employment structures.
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“We have already issued guidance that whenever a university introduces a new course, it should consult the President’s Office so that we can harmonise the schemes of service and create a clear pathway for graduates to access employment opportunities,” he said.
He said closer coordination would help address challenges faced by some graduates whose qualifications are not recognised in existing public service structures, preventing them from competing for advertised positions.
The minister said the President’s Office continues to work with the Public Service Recruitment Secretariat to ensure qualified graduates from emerging disciplines are accommodated within the public service system.
Meanwhile, Mr Kikwete directed public institutions to provide induction training to newly recruited employees immediately after appointment to help them understand public service values, ethics and operational procedures.
“There have been complaints that some employers fail to provide induction training to new employees. This training is essential because it lays the foundation for professionalism and effective service delivery,” he said.
He also urged employers to deploy workers according to their qualifications and areas of expertise to maximise productivity and improve service delivery.
The minister further reminded public institutions to submit promotion recommendations for eligible employees on time, saying career progression is a fundamental right of public servants.
“I do not expect to continue receiving complaints from employees, particularly those in lower cadres, regarding delays in promotions that result from administrative shortcomings,” he said.
Mr Kikwete advised employers to guide workers facing challenges related to promotion qualifications or records and direct them to the relevant government offices for assistance.
He said the government remains committed to strengthening public service management, improving employee welfare and ensuring public institutions continue to attract and retain qualified professionals capable of supporting the country’s development agenda.