“Education for Employment” in Tanzania

Abstract “Education for Employment” (EFE) is a program funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and administered through the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). It is directed towards providing post-secondary educational institutions with support in a variety of subject areas through partnerships with a network of Canadian Community Colleges. The University of Guelph Kemptville Campus is currently leading a project with two Canadian partners – Lakeland College (Vermilion, Alberta) and Carlton Trail Regional College (Humboldt, Saskatchewan). Together the group is working with the Kihonda Regional Vocational Training and Service Centre (RVTSC) in Morogoro, Tanzania, approximately 200 km west of Dar es Salaam. The project began in December 2009 and will run until May 2012. A CBET (competency-based education and training) curriculum is under development. As part of this activity short courses are being designed and developed to address specific topics identified by local businesses as being essential in meeting their future needs. Gender equality is a major concern. Although opportunities for women are being officially promoted, they are limited. Training designed to promote the development of small businesses and entrepreneurism will be of benefit to many – especially women. Youth issues have arisen in spite of universal education and there is a need to re-engage these disenfranchised individuals. Life skills are considered to be an important cross-cutting theme through all training. The “Education for Employment” project will enhance instructional capacity at the Kihonda RVTSC and provide students with up-to-date, demand- driven course material designed to meet the needs of the region.