Canadian applied technology college backs up VETA

Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology of Canada (CCAAT) has entered into a partnership with Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) to run a joint programme through the Mwanza Regional Vocational Training and Service Center.

The programme is aimed at developing capacity of the VETA Mwanza centre to deliver training so as to support the mining sector in the country.

`The training will also support small scale miners on safety measures in mining and good environment practices,` VETA Director General, Zebadiah Moshi told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

`We started this preparation since last year in partnership with the Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology based in Sunbury, Ontario, Canada,` Moshi said.

According to VETA boss, CCAAT will fund the programme at the cost of USD900, 000 and VETA Tanzania will contribute more than USD150, 000 for ordinary expenditure.

Moshi said VETA had never provided such kind of marvelous training in the mining sector.

`We asked them to assist us since they are very conversant with training in mining issues in their country, for example nickel mineral,` said Moshi.

He noted that the two institutions will give priority to Tanzanian youths and later to other people working in the mining sector.

`We shall carry this training through Mwanza Regional Vocational Training Service Centre (MRVTSC),` VETA boss added.

Moshi said if the programme goes successful in Mwanza, and the lake zone they will transfer the knowledge to other VETA in regions with mining activities in the country.

`So far we have started training teachers in that field and we expect to officially start pilot study in February 2008 in training students,` he said.

He said the authority was targeting to train more teachers and young people in the mining sector.

`But they, Cambrian college will assist us with equipment for training young people, because we are also targeting to offer training on handling mining plants, security, electricity, air-conditions under the ground and environmental preservation,` said Moshi.

According to VETA top official, the programme is also targeting to boost the country`s economy since mining has become one of the major sources of national income.