By Peter Kaaya

The Arusha Technical College, in 2016 entered into a partnership with the Association for Citizen Contractors Tanzania (ACCT) to improve skills to Artisan and Technician especially those working in different contractor companies.

This partnership resulted into the establishment of the Association Citizen Contractor Tanzania (ACCT) Training centre, is the center with the aim to improve skills to Artisan and Technician especially those working in different contractor companies in Tanzania. MOU was signed between Arusha Technical College (ATC) and the Association for Citizen Contractors Tanzania (ACCT) in 2016.

One of the students displays his plumbing work.

Partners invited PUM Senior Expert to join the project for capacity building by (train the trainer) and project management. A plan is made including planning and budget and approved by collaborate partners.

Project Goals:

1. To train 20 Artisans and staff members ATC to the level of Master trainer/instructor plumbing, plastering/tilling and painting & decoration;
2. To establish a trainings center for plastering/tilling, painting & decoration and plumbing on ATC ground;
3. To train 120 youngsters with low educational background to the level of assistant plasterer/tiller, plumber and painter & decorator.

Entrepreneurship is part of every training. Business Classes are organized to eager and motivated artisans and youngsters to start their own business.

Establishment of ACCT Training Centre

The main support for the renovation of an old building on ATC grounds was contributed by members from the Association of Citizen Contractors (ACCT) including needed Materials, Labour charge and Supervision. There was great support from different stakeholders as shown in the Banner.

TRAINING COURSES

The ACCT training centre has three main courses including:

1. Painting and decoration (star 1, star 2, star 3)
2. Plumbing and pipe fittings (star 1, star 2, star 3)
3. Plastering and Tiles (star 1, star 2, star 3)

TRAINING DURATION.

Each course takes three stages (star 1, Star 2, Star 3) and in every stage, students are obliged to study for three (3) to four (4) weeks.

Tanning Activities.

The main Objective of training center is to improve skills for Artisan and Technician based on demands of the construction industry. Second objective of the center is to train youngsters to be employed in building industry or to start their own business. In collaboration between ATC, PUM and ACCT, the agreement to have the Expert Facilitators from Netherlands for training of the trainers was considered. Through those expert Training of the Trainers from Star one up to Star Three conducted at the Training Center as shown in the table below.

TRAINING OF THE TRAINERS

A number of students have been trained since 2017 under the support of PUM Netherlands senior experts programme. In Plumbing and Fittings course, twenty-four (24) students were trained at different stages.  In Plastering and Tiles course, twenty-six (26) students were trained between 2017-2019. In Painting and Decoration course, twenty-six (26) students were trained between 2017-2019. Other training sessions have been conducted by the centre and have impacted a number of youngsters with low educational background. In 2020, students were trained in star One (plumbing and fittings), 55 in star two (Plastering and tiles) and 41 students in star three (Painting and Decorations)

The Writer is an Assistant Lecturer at Arusha Technical College and a PhD Candidate.