recommendation 2023 (No.208)
Tanzania charts the future of apprenticeship reform through tripartite dialogue
Morogoro, Tanzania (ILO News) – Tanzania’s apprenticeship reform reached a critical milestone as government, employers, and workers came together to take stock, assess progress, and chart the way forward for a stronger and more inclusive skills system. The effort reflects the country’s commitment to advancing apprenticeship reforms in line with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Quality Apprenticeship Recommendation, 2023 (No. 208).
25 September 2025
The tripartite dialogue highlighted how apprenticeships, when well-structured and inclusive, can serve as powerful pathways to decent work, while helping enterprises access the skilled workforce they need to grow. The event also provided a platform for stakeholders to assess where progress has been made, identify persistent challenges, and agree on practical steps to strengthen the system.
A total of 40 representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office – Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities, the President’s Office – Labour, Economic Affairs and Investment (Zanzibar), the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), the National College of Tourism, the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE), ZANEMA, TUCTA, ZATUC, and other training and industry associations participated. Together, they emphasized the importance of shared responsibility and social dialogue in aligning apprenticeship reforms with Recommendation 208.
Rashid Khamis Othman, from the President’s Office – Labour, Economic Affairs and Investment in Zanzibar (POLEAI), underscored the importance of tripartism:
When government, employers, and workers sit at the same table, we can design solutions that are realistic, inclusive, and sustainable. Apprenticeships must work for industry, but they must also safeguard the dignity and rights of the young people who participate in them.”
The ILO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Tanzania in this effort. Albert Okal, ILO Skills and Lifelong Learning Specialist, highlighted the transformative potential of quality apprenticeships:
This is about building pathways to decent work. Apprenticeships that are structured, regulated, and inclusive provide young people with hands-on skills, while giving employers a pipeline of talent ready to meet labour market demands.
The dialogue produced concrete outcomes. Stakeholders agreed to establish a National Apprenticeship Network as a permanent platform to coordinate reforms, monitor implementation, and ensure inclusivity. They also committed to reviewing guidelines so that it aligns with Quality Apprenticeship Recommendation, 2023 (No. 208) and apprenticeships integrate occupational safety and health, gender equality, and opportunities for persons with disabilities ensuring no one is left behind.
For employers, the reforms promise better alignment between training and labour market needs, reducing skills mismatches that limit productivity. For workers and unions, they guarantee protections for apprentices, fair remuneration, and recognition of skills. For government, they strengthen the education-to-employment pathway, creating a workforce that can drive national development priorities.
ILO’s technical support, backed by funding from the Government of Norway, has been central to anchoring these reforms in international good practice while adapting them to Tanzania’s realities. The tripartite approach ensures ownership, accountability, and long-term sustainability, proving once again that social dialogue is the most powerful tool to shape fair and productive labour markets.
The momentum in Morogoro goes beyond a single workshop. It reflects a national commitment to ensure that apprenticeships in Tanzania are not just steppingstones to jobs, but launchpads to decent work, dignity, and inclusive growth
ILO's Africa Skills Hub | International Labour Organization.