Hadija Fulano, loved to engage herself in fishing. After her lower secondary school in 2021, she joined the Fisheries Education Training Authority (FETA) training centre in Mwanza for a diploma in aquaculture.

Despite her hopes of landing a job, she had to go back home and start searching. Her situation was like many youths that complete academic and professional training. Often employers decry lack of soft skills.

A systematic approach to facilitate transition from training to decent jobs or self-employment is what can make the difference. Through EU-funded Inclu-cities project, Enabel Tanzania collaborated with FETA to implement Work Readiness Program that invited youth in Mwanza to participate in a three-month training in fish farming. Under work readiness program FETA Mwanza registered 150 youths in the fish farming program.

“I heard about a program at my former college that provided training in fish farming and linkage to private sector companies to gain experience,” says, Hadija. Despite staying without a job related to her training for several months after graduation she had not given up on her ambition for a career in the value fishing chain.

During their three months of training WRP trainees learned about management of fish cages, making the cages, setting up in the lake, fish processing and, more importantly, their tutors spend time exploring different possibilities of jobs, self-employment and business opportunities in fish farming.

The project also invested in training FETA tutors, equipped the training facility with necessary equipment to support the training and supported career counseling for trainees. Another key node on the pathway is linkages with employers--which informed FETA about skills required in the market and committed to host learners for practical experience.

Fish farming has gained popularity in Tanzania’s portion of the Lake Victoria in the past five years. Approved fish farming sites are teamed with caged fish farms. The Government has supported input loans that increased fish farmers.

Additionally related businesses are flourishing, from production of fish feed, cage fabrication, sales of nets, to breeding fingerlings, and more. Hadija never stirred from her desire to manage a fish cage. Through the WRP she was assigned for practical experience, at Acquacom, a private fish farm on the outskirts of Mwanza.

According to Emmanuel Shija, Acquacom branch manager in Mwanza, after the scheduled practical attachment of three months, his company retained six youths as temporary employees. Then, when ASOBO, an E-mobility company, started investing in fish farming, they approached Acquacom to recommend a hardworking, trustworthy farm manager. Hadija was recommended.

In October 2026, Hadija successfully delivered her first harvest, completing 7 months of breeding, feeding and treating the stock of tilapia in the fish cage of her employer. “She has been very good, in the management of the cage,” says, Desdeus Clavery the Director of ASOBO.

A new stock has just been introduced in the cage for the next round. “I have always wanted to work in fishing and, I’m grateful that the WRP program enabled me to reach my goal. I will work to perfect my skills and experience, ultimately, my goal is managing a big farm and, starting small, running my own fish farm in the future.”

The fact that Hadija, got a job at ASOBO, that has also benefited from Inclu-cities financial support to grow their venture that provides environment friendly engines for mobility for Lake Victoria fishers, emphasizes the value of linkages the Enabel promotes. Growing businesses need a labour force with the right skills.  

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