Veta, Tacaids join forces to empower youth and combat HIV
Veta Director General, Anthony Kasore (left), and Acting Executive Director of Tacaids, Dr. Jerome Kamwela (right), sign a Memorandum of Understanding for vocational training for youth aged 15 to 24 at the Veta Headquarters in Dodoma on September 23, 2024. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- This initiative, signed on September 23, 2024, is designed to equip young people with the skills necessary to secure employment or pursue self-employment, reducing their vulnerability to HIV infection.
Dar es Salaam. The Vocational Education and Training Authority (Veta) and the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (Tacaids) have entered into a three-year partnership aimed at providing vocational training to Tanzanian youth aged 15 to 24.
This initiative, signed on September 23, 2024, is designed to equip young people with the skills necessary to secure employment or pursue self-employment, reducing their vulnerability to HIV infection.
The agreement was signed at Veta’s headquarters in Dodoma by the Veta's Director General, Mr. Anthony Kasore, and the Acting Executive Director of Tacaids, Dr. Jerome Kamwela.
Dr. Kamwela highlighted that many young Tanzanians within the 15 to 24 age group are highly susceptible to HIV due to their lack of vocational skills and employment opportunities, which often leads to risky behaviors.
“By providing education and vocational skills, we empower these youth to generate their own income and reduce their dependency. This not only promotes self-reliance but also significantly lowers the risk of new HIV infections, especially among those who are not part of the formal education system,” Dr. Kamwela emphasized.
He further explained that Tacaids, in collaboration with district councils, will identify and enroll youth in Veta colleges for various training programs, aiming to curb idleness, which is often linked to higher HIV exposure.
Mr. Kasore echoed these sentiments, noting that the partnership would empower Tanzanian youth to engage in productive economic activities, thus safeguarding them from HIV risks.
He emphasized that providing vocational training to the youth aligns with Veta's mission to uplift young people economically and socially.
“This collaboration will not only increase youth participation in economic activities but also contribute to individual and national economic growth,” said Mr. Kasore, expressing his optimism about the positive outcomes of the program.
The collaboration will run from September 2024 to December 2026, offering vital training that will transform the lives of many young Tanzanians and contribute to the fight against HIV.
