Bridging skills, prospects to empower youth through YES

THURSDAY May 15, 2025

By Deus Bugaywa

The Tranquility News Correspondent, Tanzania

At a vibrant Area C in the central business district of Dodoma, Tanzania, Herta Fabian is busy at work in her Kidoti House of Beauty.

The beauty salon is dedicated to impart necessary skills in beauty and cosmetology for its students to excel in the industry.

Rejuvenated in her work, Herta resumed office recently. She was attending a pedagogical training of trainers’ programme the Youth Employment through Skills Enhancement (YES) project had organised.

The Helvetas Swiss Interco-operation sponsored YES project targets at empowering 600 youths from Dodoma City Council, Singida Municipality, and Singida District Council in its bid to bridge the gap between technical know-how and teaching skills.

Herta, who runs a women’s salon alongside a photography studio, says this training has boosted her confidence and skills, enabling her to fulfill her daily responsibilities, including training young people, hairstyling, and capturing various events through photography.

“This training has been incredibly meaningful to me. Initially, I relied on experience alone, but now I am confident in doing my work professionally. Even our students notice the difference in the quality of training they receive,” she remarks.

Herta enjoys engaging in beautification activities and photographing noteworthy events, including weddings, but she finds even greater peace in the opportunity for teaching her peers, enabling them to acquire skills that help them to tackle employment challenges.

Transforming lives at Malolo Village

Meanwhile, at Malolo Village within the Singida District Council, Catherine Kilonga, affectionately known as Bibi Kuku, begins her day by cleaning her poultry coop and feeding her chicks, demonstrating her skills to fellow villagers who have joined her farming class.

At 70 years old, Bibi Kuku appears youthful, thanks to her engaging in poultry, fisheries, and bee farming activities. “I have been a farmer for nearly 10 years, and I opened this training class to share my knowledge with fellow villagers,” she states.

I have been a farmer for nearly 10 years, and I opened this training class to share my knowledge with fellow villagers,” Catherine Kilonga alias Bibi Kuku, poultry farmer.

The training she received through the YES project has significantly enhanced her skills and expertise, particularly in teaching youth and conducting her farming activities with professionalism.

Her readiness to educate others in her village has yielded remarkable results, increasing the number of the farmers’ poultry, improving the villagers’ livelihoods, and funding their children’s education.

“I am grateful that many young people are coming to learn various farming methods. In the past, many viewed farming or livestock rearing as tasks preserved for the uneducated. Now, I see a shift; they are seizing these opportunities,” Kilonga expresses.

YES Manager Abraham Mtongole emphasizes that the project’s mission is to equip the youth with self-employment skills while enhancing competencies of those whose works are solely based on experiences.

Artisans typically acquire their skills through years of hands-on experience. While this makes them excellent practitioners, they may lack the experience they need for teaching others, particularly youth who are just beginning their vocational journey.

Pedagogical training provides artisans with essential tools to structure learning sessions, communicate concepts, adjust to different learning paces and styles, deliver constructive feedback, and foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Mtongole observes that many young trainees, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds, need mentorship transcending beyond technical instruction.

“Pedagogical training introduces artisans to youth-friendly methodologies, gender-sensitive approaches, and principles of positive reinforcement. This nurturing environment helps to improve retention and learner outcomes, creating a more inclusive and empowering training atmosphere,” he says.

Well-prepared artisan trainers are more likely to keep trainees engaged and motivated, provide structured skill development, and identify and support those who may struggle. Consequently, youth are more likely to gain meaningful competencies, which boost their confidence and employability.

Workplace safety training promotes a culture of safety, given the fact that vocational training often occurs in real work environments that may expose trainees to hazards such as machinery, sharp tools, or chemicals.

MORE INFORMATION: YES PROJECT

In view of the growing population, the number of young, unqualified job seekers is expected to rise sharply in Tanzania over the coming years. Helvetas Tanzania has, therefore, launched a series of practical short training courses for 11 trades so far that do not require young women and men to have school qualifications. The courses aim at providing the youth with skills and competences they need for gaining foothold in the employment market.

Artisans are trained in integrating safety standards at every stage, promoting a culture of safety, essential for both trainers and learners.

Providing workplace safety training helps artisans to comply with national safety regulations and minimises risks of accidents and liabilities. This commitment reflects Helvetas’ focus on duty of care, especially when engaging youth in practical training.

“When trained in workplace safety, we become role models who impart these values to our trainees. This ensures our trainees possess not only technical skills, but also understand the importance of safe working practices, making them more attractive to future employers.

Through initiatives like the YES project, the future of youth in Tanzania looks promising as they gain necessay skills and knowledge for thriving in their chosen fields while contributing positively to their communitiesΩ