Graduates Urged to Form Groups for Interest-Free Loans
Graduates of vocational training institutions in Zanzibar are encouraged to form groups to access interest-free loans for development projects. This directive was issued by the Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Lela Muhamed Mussa, during the 11th graduation ceremony of the Vocational Training Institute (VTA) in Mkokotoni, North Unguja, on August 12, 2024.
Minister Lela emphasized the importance of graduates coming together to establish groups, which will enable them to secure interest-free loans from the government. This initiative aims to support their economic development and address the challenge of accessing capital for starting new ventures.
The Minister noted that successful examples from other countries have led the government to introduce vocational training at the secondary education level. This new approach aims to provide practical skills that will help graduates in their future careers.
“Graduates have a valuable opportunity to form groups and receive interest-free loans to start development projects. This is a significant step towards economic empowerment, as many young people struggle due to lack of capital to launch their projects,” Minister Lela said. She also highlighted the issue of graduates ending up in unrelated fields due to a lack of funding.
Dr. Bakari Ali Silima, the Executive Director of the Vocational Training Institute, reported that 493 graduates have been awarded certificates in various fields. Based on research, the institute identified a growing demand for vocational training and has expanded its offerings from 11 to 20 fields, reflecting an 82% increase. Plans are also underway to add three more fields, including fishing, animal husbandry, and sports academy development.
Dr. Silima noted that 28 registered groups have already received loans to support their projects.
Kassim Khamis Khatib, one of the graduates, mentioned that the training has equipped them with practical skills for self-employment and private sector job opportunities. He highlighted that this practical training helps address unemployment and competitiveness in the job market. The graduates have learned various skills, including electrical work, automotive repair, electronics, construction, agriculture, tourism, and building maintenance.
Despite the progress, Khatib pointed out that a major challenge remains the lack of practical training facilities.
During the ceremony, the Minister also awarded Sh5 million to one of the groups that had completed registration procedures to start their project.
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