Understanding the importance of knowledge and proficiency skills

 

PHOTO | FILE Kenyans take part in a procession at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi to mark World Aids Day in 2009.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

by gaya business times

The skills gap has not received considerable attention from policymakers concerned that the Tanzania will no longer be able to effectively compete in the global marketplace and will require workers from other countries to fill the current gap. To address the skills gap, the country is required to set a goal for the Tanzania to lead the east Africa region in postsecondary educational attainment by the end of the decade. To reach this goal, the nation will need to graduate more students than what is expected or have historically graduated. In response, school boards, school districts, and postsecondary institutions will be required to implement strategies to boost graduation rates and reduce dropout rates.

Furthermore, the level of educational attainment is not keeping up with the number of skilled workers needed. The need for a high school diploma as a minimum is critical as jobs become more complex in a global economy and traditional jobs requiring less education are no longer in demand. However, it is estimated that more than 35 million Tanzanian adults between the ages of 18 and 60 have not graduated from high school and therefore do not qualify for most of the jobs in the current and future economy

Jobs today require workers who possess more knowledge and proficiency in 21st-century skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and technology skills. The use of digital communications and advanced information systems which have now days being practiced in Tanzania will enable employers in near future to have more workers who will perform their jobs remotely. This change will facilitate growth in part-time and contingent employment in many fields to increase and the hiring of inexpensive; will increasingly high-quality talent from other countries. The skills gap has two primary underlying causes changing jobs and low levels of educational attainment..  

According to these circumstances, there will be a million more primary and secondary school dropouts in the coming years than jobs available for workers with that level of education. Further, while more than a certain percent of secondary and high school graduates enroll in post-secondary education within two years, less earn an associate’s degree within three years and some others young people complete bachelor’s degrees within six years.

Few are choosing fields of study that are high in demand. As a result, many occupations are likely to see potential shortages, including nutritionists, welders, nurse’s aides, computer specialists, and engineers. Currently, the number of graduates in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is increasing at only very minimal percentage rate each year, which will not keep up with the demand in the workforce. 

The skills gap is expected to intensify with the gradual departure of the “baby boomers” from the workforce. While many older workers are postponing retirement without concrete reasons, it is still estimated that approximately a certain million will leave the workforce over the next two decades, resulting in an overall loss of expertise and management skills 

In order to address these challenges, there is a need to provide youth with appropriate post primary education, support change of mindset and develop their skills in order to promote self employment and increase their employability in the expanding private sector investments. For example setting of skill development centres within the rural areas. Furthermore, provision of appropriate support to rural youth livelihood activities and the strengthening of access of young men and women to technical and financial services as well as access to market information is vital for expanding rural employment opportunities and improve rural youth livelihoods. 

There is also a need for the strengthening of institutional linkages and capacity building at all levels in order to address the challenges of youth unemployment in rural areas. In addition, solving the youth unemployment problems require the opening up of export market opportunities for local products, which include increasing investments in processing and manufacturing and relaxation of restrictive conditions in the international trade.