Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Canadian diplomat believes gas, oil sectors can relieve unemployment

Canadian High Commission in the country has said engagement of youth in the gas and oil sectors will go a long way to addressing the persistent and growing youth unemployment.
 
Speaking at a validation workshop to initiate a USD13m Improving Skills Training for Employment Program (ISTEP) yesterday in Dar es Salaam, the First Secretary (Development) for Canadian High Commission in the country, Warren Kidd expressed his country’s commitment to support Tanzania   in    his    endeavour.
 
He said his country is committed to supporting partnerships between the two countries Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions in a bid to improve opportunities for Tanzanian youth, women and men to benefit from the extractive and tourism sectors.
 
“Preparing citizens especially youth to participate in the new gas economy will help to reduce the number of unemployed youth in the country,’’ said Kidd.
 
The Acting Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Thomas Katebalirwe said the five year ISTEP program (2014-2019) will build youth skills and ability to participate in the extractive (mining, gas and oil) and tourism sectors.
 
“The ISTEP project will train 1,200 Tanzanian youth with the skills needed to be employed in the extractive and tourism sectors or create their own employment,’’ he said.
 
He said the contribution is to support the implementation of recently approved Technical and Vocational Education and Training Development Program (TVETDP).
“Once ISTEP takes off, it will help facilitate and promote an integrated competitive workforce that values lifelong learning and prepares youth for employment and entrepreneurship,’’ he said. 
 
Susan Sproule, the Manager of Operations, Colleges and Institutes Canada who are implementers of the project pledged to continue cooperating with Tanzania Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVET) to make sure that the institution produces competent graduates who are ready for employment.
 
 “This effort will be a success, because Canada’s colleges and institution are experts in career–focused education and the improving skills institutions to deliver effective skills training programs and support economic opportunities across the extractive and tourism sectors,’’ she said  
 
The workshop brought together representatives from several Tanzanian ministries responsible for education, tourism, energy and mineral, labour and employment.
 
Also in attendance were representatives from the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) and the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE) as well as from TVET institutions and private sector organisations.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

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