EASTRIP: Driving regional skills revolution

TANZANIA: THE Skills Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP), funded by the World Bank, has emerged as a key symbol of regional integration and a model for technical education reform in East Africa.

The project, which aims to enhance access to high-quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in selected institutions, has seen Tanzania make remarkable strides through its participation.

Tanzania’s flagship institutions under the project include Arusha Technical College, the National Institute of Transport (NIT), and the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), along with its Mwanza campus.

These institutions have been instrumental in the country’s success in fully implementing the project, meeting the World Bank’s stringent standards to earn funding of USD 75m/-.

At a recent workshop held in Dar es Salaam, which brought together communication officers from ministries and institutions implementing the EASTRIP project, Dr Fredrick Salukele, Director of TVET at the Ministry of Education, underscored Tanzania’s achievement.

“Tanzania is the only country that has implemented the project by 100%, meeting all the conditions set by the World Bank,” he remarked. This has allowed the country to secure the full funding for the project.

The project follows the “Program for Results” (P4R) approach, meaning funds are disbursed by the World Bank only when specific results and criteria are met.

These criteria include establishing a project implementation unit at each flagship institution, forming industry advisory boards, developing demand-driven programs accredited by national TVET agencies, and ensuring teaching staff participate in exchange programs and industry attachments.

Dr. Salukele further explained that for a country to qualify for the World Bank’s EASTRIP funding, it must fulfill these requirements.

“The disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs) apply to the flagship institutions, and meeting them is essential for securing the funds,” he added.

These indicators cover areas such as environmental sustainability and institutional governance, aligning the project with global standards for development and education.

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The project’s success in Tanzania is also built on its alignment with national priorities, focusing on three key sectors: leather processing, transport, and renewable energy.

Among these, NIT has received the largest share of the funds due to the significant investment required in transport-related skills development.

“Transport investment is costlier and has received a lionshare because it involves training specialized labor,” Dr Salukele noted.

Meanwhile, DIT’s Dar es Salaam and Mwanza campuses and Arusha Technical College received equal portions of the remaining funds.

Highlighting NIT’s progress, the institution’s EASTRIP coordinator, Dr Chacha Rioba, shared that their project implementation has achieved 80per cent completion in the first phase (Lot I) and 85per cent in the second phase (Lot II).

He outlined several outreach activities in regions such as Kilimanjaro, Manyara, and Arusha, which aim to create awareness and attract students to transport-related programs.

Additionally, NIT has financed the professional training of 17 staff members in countries around the world, covering fields such as aviation, aircraft maintenance, and pilot training.

The success of NIT under the EASTRIP program extends to its sponsorship of 14 staff members for master’s programs in areas like avionics, aeronautical engineering, and air transport management.

Moreover, NIT has secured nine positions under the IUCEA-China TVET scholarship, with four master’s and five PhD slots, further boosting the institution’s academic capacity.

A key focus of the EASTRIP project has been gender equity in technical fields, and NIT has responded effectively.

The institute has provided scholarships to 44 female students in aviation and transport operations, helping bridge the gender gap in these traditionally male-dominated fields.

Additionally, over 1,000 professionals, including senior drivers, road safety auditors, and cabin crew from Tanzania and beyond, have benefited from scholarships under the project, enhancing the region’s transport expertise.

On the leather processing front, DIT’s Mwanza campus has excelled in meeting all the criteria set under the project, securing USD 16.5 million in funding.

According to Augustine, the campus’s Monitoring and Evaluation officer, this funding has allowed the institution to significantly increase its student enrollment from 81 to 791 students per year—nearly a tenfold increase.

Furthermore, DIT-Mwanza has signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with industries where students will gain practical training, a key requirement of the project.

This collaboration with industry partners ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the job market, aligning their skills with the demands of employers.

The EASTRIP project’s impact in Tanzania goes beyond improving technical skills. It promotes regional integration by fostering collaboration between East African countries, sharing best practices, and enhancing the quality of education.

Dr Salukele emphasized the importance of integration, stating, “Tanzania’s success in meeting World Bank standards makes it a model for other regional members to learn from.”

As Tanzania continues to implement EASTRIP with full compliance, it sets an example for neighboring countries, highlighting the transformative potential of regional cooperation in skills development.

Through its investment in transport, leather processing, and renewable energy, the country is not only boosting its technical education sector but also contributing to the broader goal of regional economic integration and development.

EASTRIP has proven to be a catalyst for change in Tanzania’s TVET sector, with its flagship institutions making significant strides in transforming skills, enhancing gender equity, and fostering regional cooperation.

The success of the project is a testament to the country’s commitment to improving technical education and preparing its workforce for the demands of the modern economy.