Tanzania and India have unveiled plans to collaborate in supporting the professional development of young engineers through specialized training exchange programs aimed at enhancing their skills and employability in the global job market.
The initiative was announced during the Structured Engineers Apprenticeship Programme (SEAP) induction seminar held in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday. Speaking at the event, the Registrar of the Engineers Registration Board (ERB), Engineer Benard Kavishe, emphasized the significance of leveraging Tanzania’s bilateral ties with India to unlock the potential of local engineering talent.
Eng. Kavishe disclosed that the ERB has already signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with the Engineering Council of India (ECI) to facilitate the career advancement of young engineers through exchange programs. The partnership will allow Tanzanian engineers to acquire and share the latest skills and technologies with their Indian counterparts, while also promoting the movement of engineering professionals between the two nations.
“Young engineers make up 70 per cent of Tanzania’s engineering workforce, so it is crucial to support them as they complement senior engineers in driving key infrastructure projects such as roads and airports,” Eng. Kavishe stated.
Beyond India, the ERB has also established agreements with five East African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, to promote collaboration and upskilling initiatives for young engineers. These efforts are aimed at broadening their exposure to international job markets and cross-border employment opportunities.
In addition to capacity building, Eng. Kavishe highlighted ERB’s commitment to addressing gender disparity in the engineering sector. Currently, women account for only 30 percent of the country’s 42,000-strong engineering workforce. The ERB has set an ambitious target to achieve gender parity by 2030, promoting inclusivity and sustainable development.
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To encourage more girls to pursue careers in engineering, the ERB has launched a STEM outreach initiative. Through this program, experts visit schools to inspire female students to take up science subjects, fostering greater participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Registrar of the Engineering Council of India, Dr. Priya Swarup, reaffirmed India’s commitment to empowering young engineers through capacity-building programs focused on practical training.
“We are here to support a system where Indian and Tanzanian engineers can work together,” Dr. Swarup said, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in advancing engineering excellence.
The collaboration between Tanzania and India is expected to open new opportunities for young engineers, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global job market.
