Enabel’s Work Readiness Programme to develop entrepreneurs and skilled workers in cage fish farming
Tanzania’s Fishing Education Training Agency (FETA) Nyegezi campus, a partner of Enabel in the Inclusive Green and Smart Cities (Inclu-Cities) project, has launched a four-month training programme for 150 youths in Mwanza. The initiative aims to equip participants with practical skills that will boost their readiness for employment and entrepreneurship in fisheries and aquaculture.

The initiative aligns with the government of Tanzania's policy to promote youth employment and skills development. Through the European Union-funded INCLU-CITIES project, Enabel Tanzania supports this initiative with Work Readiness Programs (WRP) in a number of sectors, including fishing. The longest part of the four-month training will be spent on practical learning on fish farms.

FETA collaborates with five identified fish farms in Mwanza where the WRP trainees will go for practical training on cage fish farms. This initiative contributes to Enabel’s program under Inclu-cities project that aims to create jobs and businesses in the green economy. 

The training was opened by Ms Merisia Sebastian Mparazo, the FETA’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, who challenged tutors and learners to take advantage of the WRP programme to develop skilled youths, therefore contributing to job creation and growth of the local and national economy.

Currently, the fishing sector contributes 1.7 percent to Tanzania’s GDP and employs over six million people in the entire value chain. “By training more skilled people in the fishing value chain you are solving one of the key challenges that limit the growth of the sector’s contribution to the economy,” she said.

On behalf of Enabel and the project, TVET Expert, Thomas Aikarua, reiterated Enabel’s readiness to collaborate with government agencies, private companies to promote innovative green solutions that mint jobs and contribute to local economies. Under Inclu-cities project, WRP trainees will undergo entrepreneurship skills building at SIDO Mwanza and upon successful completion of their stint they will develop projects that will compete to qualify for funding from CRDB Foundation, also a partner in the project.

The fishing value chain, specifically cage fish farming, entails multiple opportunities including management of cage fish farms, fish feed manufacture, marketing, refrigeration, navigation, and fish processing and value addition.

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