A graduation ceremony is usually a celebration of certificates and academic achievement. At the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) Kasulu Centre in Tanzania's Kigoma Region, however, the audience told a different story. Alongside proud parents and government leaders sat employers from local industries, ready not only to applaud graduates but also to recruit them.

It was an uncommon but encouraging sight—a clear sign that collaboration between training institutions, government and the private sector is transforming how young people transition from learning to work. The event showcased the results of the Wezesha Binti Project, implemented by Enabel and funded by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Beyond celebrating project achievements, it demonstrated how sustained partnerships can address one of the biggest challenges facing youth employment programmes: ensuring that training leads to real opportunities.

Turning skills into jobs
Across Africa, many young people complete vocational training only to discover that employers are looking for different skills, while businesses struggle to find qualified workers. This mismatch between training and labour market needs remains one of the key drivers of youth unemployment, particularly for young women who often face additional social and economic barriers.   Rather than treating vocational training as a standalone intervention, the Wezesha Binti Project invests in building relationships among local government authorities, vocational training providers and employers.

Together, they identified occupations with growing demand, created opportunities for workplace learning, and ensured that employers became active partners in preparing young people for employment. "Our role has been to bring everyone around the same table," explains Christine Rwankote, Project Manager for Wezesha Binti. "We have worked with private companies to create industrial attachment opportunities, while engaging government and employers to support internships and employment pathways for graduates."

A region of growing opportunity
Kigoma is rapidly emerging as an economic gateway in western Tanzania. Its strategic location bordering Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the ongoing Standard Gauge Railway project, is creating new opportunities in transport, logistics, construction and manufacturing. The region hosts more than 1,100 industries, most of them micro and small enterprises, alongside a growing number of medium-sized businesses. These developments are increasing demand for skilled workers who are ready to contribute.

Recognising this opportunity, the Enabel, through the Wezesha Binti project, works to align vocational training with local labour market needs. Young people received technical training alongside work readiness and life skills that employers consistently identify as essential, including communication, teamwork, and professionalism and problem-solving.

Dreams realised through partnership
For graduates like Renatha Augustino, the programme has opened doors that once seemed impossible. After completing lower secondary school, financial circumstances prevented her from continuing her education. While she earned an income by styling hair, her real passion was motor vehicle mechanics—a career choice many people questioned because she was a young woman. Today, Renatha proudly holds skills in both professions. "I now have two professions," she says with a smile. "I can style hair, repair vehicles and even drive them. The confidence I have gained is something I never imagined." Her classmate Jackline Paschal shares a similar story. After leaving school following pregnancy, she supported herself through tailoring while apprenticing at a local garage whenever time allowed. Formal vocational training gave her the technical skills and nationally recognised qualifications needed to pursue her ambition with confidence.   Their stories illustrate how opportunity expands when training is matched with employer engagement and practical workplace experience.

Employers become partners
The graduation ceremony reflected just how far these partnerships have developed. This was evident not only in the participation of employers but also in the results achieved through the collaboration.

The numbers behind the collaboration are equally encouraging. In June 2026, 104 trainees—75 women and 29 men—graduated from VETA Kasulu after completing six months of training in motor vehicle mechanics, electrical installation, plumbing, and batik and soap making. The project also supported 32 employees from Kasulu Sugar Company to obtain nationally recognised RPL certification, strengthening both individual career prospects and company productivity.

As one of the project's industry partners, Kasulu Sugar celebrated not only the graduation of trainees but also the certification of its employee’s success of employees who completed the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, receiving nationally recognised certification as plant operators. The company also announced that it would retain all five motor vehicle mechanics trainees who had completed industrial attachment at the company, together with two plumbing graduates. "We are proud to be part of this collaboration," said the company's Human Resources Manager. "Our employees gained formal certification while we provided trainees with practical workplace experience. Both the company and the learners have benefited."

Government leaders also pledged continued support. Speaking during the ceremony, the Kasulu District Commissioner committed to prioritising skilled youth entrepreneur groups for district economic empowerment loans, recognising that access to finance is another important step towards sustainable livelihoods. The project also facilitated pathways for 50 graduates to access employment opportunities for graduates linked to the Standard Gauge Railway project, while previous internship partnerships with Upendo Honey have already resulted in graduates securing permanent positions after demonstrating strong workplace performance.

Lessons for youth employment programmes
By engaging employers during programme design, aligning training with labour market demand, investing in workplace learning and maintaining strong collaboration with government and training institutions, young people are far more likely to make a successful transition into employment or entrepreneurship.

The graduation at VETA Kasulu was therefore more than an end-of-course celebration. It demonstrated how collaboration between government, vocational training institutions and employers can help young people move more quickly from training into employment or entrepreneurship. As Kigoma's economy continues to grow, strengthening these partnerships will remain essential in ensuring that more young people acquire the skills, experience and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods.  ends 

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