ILO and partners pave way for higher-level apprenticeships

The two-day consultative workshop aims to provide a platform for social dialogue on expanding apprenticeship programmes in Tanzania.

Press release | 27 April 2021

Dar es Salaam (ILO News) Can apprenticeship programmes work at a higher education level both diploma and degree levels? The International Labour Organisation (ILO) along with key social partners from the Prime Minister’s Office-Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities (PMO/LYED), The Association of Tanzanian Employers (ATE), The Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) met yesterday, 28 April for a two-day social dialogue on expanding apprenticeship programmes in Tanzania.

The dialogue serves to pave the way for the uptake of apprenticeship programmes in banking, finance and water sectors at diploma, degree levels.

ILO East Africa Country Director Mr Wellington Chibebe commended the initiative stating that Tanzania remains a leader in apprenticeship programmes: “The world of apprenticeships is indeed changing and Tanzania is among Africa’s leaders in promoting and implementing formal apprenticeships. Since its inception in 2013 Tanzania’s Apprenticeship programme in tourism and hospitality has successfully shown that apprenticeship programmes are an effective mode of training which help shorted the often-long school to work transition period. Our data shows that over 75 percent of apprentices were able to secure full time employment before or within 3 months of completing their apprenticeships.”

However, just how viable are apprenticeships in the changing world of work which is disrupted by automation and the ever-growing gig-economy? According to ILO Specialist on skills development systems, Aggarwal Ashwani, apprenticeships have been wrongfully assumed to be for low skilled industries only. “Apprenticeship are not only for blue-collar workers but are now being taken up in the digital and technical sectors. In fact, countries are now using predominately-online training for apprenticeship programmes.”

Indeed, Tanzania is making strides to implementing degree level apprenticeships.

The Institute of accountancy Arusha (IAA) has developed its own degree level apprenticeship programme. Quality Assurance and control manager Catholic Sumuni, said:  “It is good to know that others like VETA, NCT and State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) are well acquainted with apprenticeship programmes. We have developed apprenticeship curriculum in banking and insurance as well as risk management thanks to our collaboration with the ILO and National Council for Technical Education (NACTE).

According to Lilian Colman senior manager of human resources at TPB Bank, apprenticeship programmes are an excellent way to meet the existing skill gaps in the banking sector.

 “We believe that in the next 3 years we will see apprentice graduates in the banking sector who are component and have both the technical, soft skills and creativity which their peers are usually lacking. Unfortunately, most students don’t have access to on the job training and are taught by lecturers who have never worked in a bank. Our apprenticeship programme aims to change this,” said Ms Colman. 

TPB bank and IAA have formed a partnership which allows apprentices to spend half their training at the bank and half at IAA.

With the banking and finance sector already making strides to launch apprenticeship programme’s Tanzania is set to continue being an African leader in Apprenticeship programmes.

Formal apprenticeships defined as work-based learning programmes which combine theoretical learning with industry training exposing apprentices to workplace practices, culture and networks.