BARCLAYS BANK TANZANIA AFFIRMS YOUTHS LIVING IN FEAR OF UNEMPLOYMENT

Barclays Bank Tanzania Marketing Manager, Joe Bendera (centre) being interviewed by the media after his meeting with Univesity of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) students where he was introducing the Barclays "Ready to Work"   Education, skills training and employability program targeting university and higher learning students. A brief occasion was held at the university compounds in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

Although a tough jobs market has left more than half of young people feeling worried about finding work, Barclays bank Tanzania sees it right to support and advise them to get on the job ladder.

A three years “ready to work program” backed by Barclays bank, will offer workshops and drop-in advice services for young people aged 15 to 35. This online initiative has been launched in eight institutions of higher learning, and will be extended to cover 3,000 graduates in other institutions across the country.

Some of the institutions of higher learning to be involved are the University of Dar es Salaam (Udsm), University of Dodoma (Udom), Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), Institute of Finance Management (IFM), College of Business Education (CBE) Dar es Salaam campus, Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA) and the Morogoro-based Mzumbe University.

“A good number of young people across the country have told us they don’t feel employable, and feel uncertain, lack confidence and are not getting the support and advice they need, Barclays has head their cry and is here to offer them a support they need,” Joe Bendera, Barclays bank marketing manager said.

“Our insights show that young people are daunted by the competitiveness of today’s job market and struggle to find the right support, career advice and mentoring to move forward.

That’s why we are committed to equipping the next generation with the training they need to build a brighter future for themselves and their families through the programme,” he said.

The scheme will focus on improving work and people skills, better handling of money, and getting tips on entrepreneurship.

According to Mr. Bendera, to the moment, about 1,000 youths have already registered on the program.

He said that the programme will offer participants a chance to work with Barclays and other partners of the bank.

"Individuals who will finish the programme will be eligible to apply for work experience at Barclays Tanzania,” he said.

These skills have been grouped into four categories, which are Work skills, People skills, Money skills and Entrepreneurial skills.

This digital and face-to-face initiative will guide students on how to look for an interview, how to manage their money, ways to impress colleagues and clients as well as providing the skills they need to start and run their own businesses.

Francisca Mahinya, the first year student at the University of Dar es Salaam said the programme was a good initiative that would improve skills of young Tanzanians. He appealed to the bank to extent the programme to cover as many students as possible.