Tanzania - Alternative Learning and Skills Development Project (Phase II)

The Alternative Learning and Skills Development Project Phase II (ALSD II) builds on an earlier phase completed in 2009 that was considered highly successful. It targets the Unguja and Pemba islands in Zanzibar. This project is needed now to provide the youth with skills that will increase their competitiveness for jobs in Zanzibar or elsewhere in the East African Region. Young people aged 15 -34 years constitute about 36% of the population of Zanzibar but account for 30.6% of total unemployment on the Island. Similarly, about 20% of young people aged 15-24% is unemployed, 51.8% of whom are women. It has been observed that an important driver of unemployment in Zanzibar is the lack of skills with only 11.8% of unemployed persons having had certificate level training or informal apprenticeship. The project would equip the youth with skills for the labour market and for self-employment particularly in the establishment of growth-oriented businesses in emerging sectors such as tourism. The main project outcomes include (i) reduced unemployment amongst the youth and (ii) increased skills availability for the labour market. The total project cost is UA 21.02 million over a five year period.