Effectiveness of Skills Development Initiatives in Public Works Programmes in Enhancing Employment Opportunities
Evidence from Mpwapwa District, Tanzania
Authors
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Juma Mhina
Tengeru Institute of Community Development
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5490-9371
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Baraka Msuya
Mpwapwa District Council
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56741/IISTR.jscd.002578
Keywords:
Employability, Employment Opportunities, Public Works Programme, Skills Development, Sustainable Livelihoods
Abstract
This study assessed the perceived effectiveness of skills development initiatives within Public Works Programmes (PWPs) in relation to employment opportunities among programme beneficiaries in Mpwapwa District, Tanzania. A descriptive research design was employed, involving 300 household heads selected through simple random sampling from a population of 1,200 participating households. The study adopted a convergent mixed-methods design, combining structured questionnaires with qualitative data, which were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectively. The findings indicate that participants perceived PWPs as making a meaningful contribution to their employability and future employment prospects. Participants strongly agreed that PWPs provide valuable skills for future employment (M = 4.41), while the relevance of acquired skills to the local labour market was also rated positively (M = 3.96). Respondents further reported the presence of vocational training and capacity-building components (M = 3.95) and perceived household benefits from skills acquired by participating family members (M = 3.72). However, perceived improvement in professional and technical skills received a comparatively lower rating (M = 3.29), indicating perceived limitations in the depth and intensity of training. Qualitative findings reinforced these results, highlighting skills acquisition, labour-market relevance, vocational training, limited professional competency development, and application of acquired skills as key themes. The study concludes that participants perceive PWPs as having potential to strengthen employability and household livelihood opportunities, although their perceived effectiveness may depend on market-oriented, competency-based, practically intensive training and stronger post-programme linkages to employment, entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, certification, and access to finance.
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