Employers advised to embrace leadership training programmes

20May 2023
Francis Kajubi
Dar es Salaam
Business
The Guardian
Employers advised to embrace leadership training programmes

THE public and private sectors have been urged to embrace in-house employees training programmes on leadership and effective communication as a way of preparing native competent leaders with the privilege of acquiring managerial positions mostly occupied by foreigners.

Toastmasters’ International president Matt Kinsey (center) clarifies a point to Emilia Siwingwa (right) district director Toastmasters East Africa. On the left is Jeanine Kinsey, the NGO’s former director for Florida and Bahamas. Photo: Jumanne Juma.

Inaugurating the Toastmasters East Africa Conference (TEACON) 2023 in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Zlatan Milisic UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania said sustainable development can be achieved by both the public and the private sectors through grooming skillful and competent leaders.

He said in achieving this goal human capital should be put at the center of the strategic plans. However, the transfer of leadership skills for the young generation is of great importance.

According to him, the ability to self-expression cannot be ignored if young leaders are to inspire decision makers, policy developers and employers. He said Tanzania is rich in diverse opportunities in the areas of business, investment and innovation that wait for entrepreneurs and innovators to grab.

Atteeya Sumar, Country Director Aga Khan Foundation argued that something is wrong with the leadership skills among Tanzania’s young graduates and elites as most of the top positions in corporate entities and private institutions are held by foreigners.

“Teaching our children about the internet of things and embracing innovation programmes from the early stage of learning, training them how to overcome fear, creating space for creativity and confidence is one of the best ways on the way forward,” said Sumar.

She argued that in order to generate competent leaders, employers should learn that it is not being productive that matters at the workplace but giving room for employees to grow their experiences to become more competent.

Catherinerose Baretto Founder Dar es Salaam Global Shapers Hub said that in order to get more youth graduating from leadership and communication skills, vocational training centers should be transformed into delivering knowledge that suits graduates from colleges and universities.

“The curriculum for vocational centers should not be confined to technical skills but also making graduates acquire knowledge that can build them into becoming future leaders,” said Baretto.

Emilia Siwingwa District Director Toastmasters East Africa said that Toastmaster has over 120 members in Tanzania. The members are in six clubs of which three are in Arusha city and three in Dar es Salaam.

“We really need people to form the Toastmasters clubs as many as they can. We are lagging behind compared to Kenya which has over 800 members from over 50 clubs,” said Siwingwa.

She said that communication skills are inevitable for Tanzania’s young generation to become competitive on the region’s employment market and globally. Not less than 20 people are required in forming and registering a Toastmaster club.

Wilson Asiimwe, District Club Growth Officer Toastmasters East Africa said the organization runs a communication and leadership programme that teaches employees how to conduct effective meetings, practice time management and enhance their listening skills.

“Employees are also taught on how to sharpen their presentation skills, boost team collaboration and guide successful teams,” said Asiimwe.

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