✅ The Prime Minister’s Office Praised for Implementing National Skills Development Programme

By: PMO (LER) – Dar es Salaam

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania continues to implement various strategies aiming to empower youth, including the National Skills Development Programme through the Apprenticeship Training, which has become a beacon of hope for many youth across Tanzania.

The programme is implemented by the Prime Minister’s Office – Labour, Employment and Relations since 2016, and it has played a significant role in strengthening the nation’s workforce, particularly by equipping youth with practical skills and professional competencies that enable them to create self-employment opportunities to overcome the challenge of unemployment. One of the key components of the programme is Apprenticeship Training, which has become a major catalyst for investment, entrepreneurship and income generation among Tanzanians.

Many youth are now beginning to see a brighter future through practical vocational training offered in various technical institutions across the country. Among the beneficiaries are students from Anna Collections Fashion Academy (AFA), where by the beneficiaries of Apprenticeship Training explained how the training is helping them to build economic and confidence for their future.

Speaking at different occasions, among the apprentices, Jesca Machimu, who is specializing in tailoring and fashion design, expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister’s Office for providing them valuable vocational training opportunities that enhance their knowledge and skills.

“I was just an idle youth in the streets before I heard about this apprenticeship opportunity that were announced by the Government. I immediately applied and joined Anna Collections Fashion Academy. Today, I am able to design and sew different types of clothing,” she said.

Another apprentice, Asia Selemani Matauna, described the training as a life-changing opportunity that will help her gain advanced skills in the fashion industry. She said her dream is to establish her own company after graduation and employ other youth so they can earn income and become self-reliant.

The other apprentice, Rashidi Mohamed said that before joining the training he used to sew at home at a basic level, but through the apprenticeship training he has acquired modern knowledge and techniques that will help him expand his business and increase his income.

Meanwhile, the Training Coordinator at Anna Collections Fashion Academy, Mr. Stephen Mliga, said that during the 2025/2026 academic year the institution admitted apprenticeship students for the first time, with the Government sponsoring 126 youths to join the programme, despite the institution receiving applications from more than 450 applicants.

Mr. Stephen explained that the programme instills an entrepreneurial mindset among young people instead of encouraging them to wait for formal employment opportunities. He noted that through the fashion industry, youth can establish their own businesses, open small companies and create employment opportunities for others.

He further stated that the fashion industry continues to grow rapidly worldwide and remains one of the sectors generating significant employment and income opportunities. According to him, AFA envisions seeing Tanzanian youth compete internationally in the fashion industry while contributing to the achievement of the National Development Vision 2050 through innovation, creativity and economic self-reliance.

According to Mr. Stephen, the vision of AFA is to fight poverty by empowering youth through creativity and vocational skills. He added that the institution aims to become one of the leading fashion academies in East Africa and expand its services to the Democratic Republic of Congo by the academic year 2027.

To ensure students receive training according to their skill levels, Anna Collections Fashion Academy has established a structured classroom system designed to build students’ competencies progressively. The system begins with a Beginner Class for youth with no prior tailoring skills.

Students then advance to the Advanced Class, where they gain expertise in fashion creativity and production of modern designs. The academy also offers a Bridal Master Class focused on professional bridal wear design, alongside specialized classes in suit tailoring and garment decoration.