Institute of accountancy Arusha (IAA) is paving the way with the development of degree level apprenticeship programmes in Finance and Banking and Insurance and Risk Management. Quality Assurance and control manager, Mr, Catholic Sumuni, shares the journey of launching Tanzania’s first degree level apprenticeship programmes.

Q: For our readers who are new to the word of apprenticeships can you explain how they actually work?

A: An Apprenticeship is a two way training approach where by the apprentice spends a portion of time in class and the other portion of studies on the job training. Therefore, training institutes collaborate with employers to develop, train and assess the apprentices. There are several benefits to this dual training approach, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO, apprenticeship systems are increasingly recognised as a key element to tackle the youth employment crisis.

Q:  What role did ILO play in the process?

A: ILO piloting and launched Tanzania’s first apprenticeship programme in the hospitality and tourism sector in collaboration of the government of Tanzania. The success of this programme as led to the expansion of apprenticeships. ILO provides us with very useful tools, guidelines and technical support on how to develop a quality apprenticeship programmes. Recently, ILO conducted a capacity building workshop to facilitators of training institutes to pave the way for the development of more apprenticeship programmes in the finance and water sectors.

Q: Can you tell us what prompted your interests in apprenticeships?

A: Recently, there is a great concern of employability of Tanzanian graduates because of a mismatch of what training institutions offers and what employers expects.

This triggered the IAA to review most of its programmes and develop new ones. In developing new programmes, IAA Rector, Prof. Eliamani Sedoyeka introduced the idea to develop unique programmes with hands-on skills. The Institute consulted ILO for guidance, technical support to develop two programmes (Banking and Finance and Insurance and Risk Management).

Q: Can you explain the process of setting up the programme at IAA?

A: We first identified programmes that fit the apprenticeship mode; (Bachelor in Banking and Finance and Bachelor in Insurance and Risk Management). We then found the training partner for programme identified (Banking – TPB Bank, Insurance – NIC & ZIC). We formed curriculum development team comprised of IAA and training partners

Following NACTE curriculum development guidelines, the team developed a curriculum with off the job semesters and on-the-job semesters. The curriculum document also consist of assessment tools for on-the-job modules

The curriculum documents submitted to NACTE for validation and approval. Students admitted to programmes for the first time on academic year 2020/2021.

Q: What was the most challenging factor of setting up the apprenticeship programme?

A: Apprenticeships relay on having strong training partners or employers in the private sector. We faced some challenges in finding willing employers to develop a collaborative curriculum. We also had to deal with limited places for apprenticeship compared to number of admitted students.

Q: How many apprentices are enrolled in your programme and what process will they go through? 

A:  We currently have 36 apprentices in the Bachelor in Banking and Financing and 172 in Bachelor in Insurance and Risk Management apprenticeships programme.

The apprentices spend a total of 4 semesters in theoretical training at AII and two 14 month long semesters in on the job/industrial training: 

Sem. I & Sem.   II = IAA, Sem. III = Job (TPB/NIC) – 7Months, Sem. IV = IAA, Sem. V = Job (TPB/NIC) – 7Months, Sem. VI = IAA.

Q:  How do you plan to expand the programme?

A: We are planning to engage more partners in the same industry to secure more places for apprentices to absorb expected large number of students to be admitted to these programmes. We also expect to expand the apprenticeship training model to other disciplines at bachelor level like Tourism and Hospitality, Computer science, Postal and Customs logistics, etc.

Q: What do you think will be the role of apprenticeship training in the changing world of work?

A: Apprenticeship training will be the game changer to employment trends because employers will be collaborating with training institutes to prepare a worker with skills they actually want in the labour market. According to data from the ILO, the apprenticeship training minimizes a mismatch between what training institutes offers, and what the employer’s needs. . Many employers are now investing in apprenticeships and see this as a great way to recruit and retain people in their organisation. Apprenticeships are also an excellent way for young people to gain access to a company or a sector of their choice.

Q: How successful do you thing apprenticeship programmes can be in Tanzania?

A:  Apprenticeship programmes are already successful in Tanzania. The National College of Tourism (NCT), State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) and the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) are all running successful apprenticeship programmes with support by the government and ILO.  Many training institutes are now showing interest in adopting this hands-on model of training. Apprenticeship training has a very bright future in Tanzania. A plug –play graduate is a priority of any employer.

There is a need of government intervention to influence the willingness of both public and private employers to collaborate with training institutions to prepare the “product” with labour market skill. Many credits should go to ILO Tanzania for their advocacy and supports to the programme.