Iringa set to host youth career fair 2025 to champion skills and employment

Iringa. The Iringa Region is preparing to host the Youth Career Fair 2025, a week-long initiative designed to equip young people with the skills, information, and networks they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive job market.

The event, which will take place from 21 to 27 July, will run under the theme “Youth: Your Skills, Your Profession, Your Choice.”

Organised by the Iringa Regional Commissioner’s Office in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland, Swisscontact, and TIHub, the fair is expected to bring together over 3,000 youth and more than 50 organisations, including training institutions, private sector players, government agencies, and financial institutions.

According to Event Manager Evance Mfuko, the fair aims to create a practical platform where young people can engage directly with employers, vocational trainers, and entrepreneurs, giving them exposure to real-world career options and the tools necessary to pursue them.

He said the initiative is not merely about showcasing opportunities but creating spaces for meaningful dialogue between youth and the labour market.

The highlight of the event will be the official opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 26 July, to be led by Iringa Regional Commissioner Kheri James and attended by Nicole Providoli, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Tanzania.

The ceremony will mark the culmination of several days of outreach activities aimed at mobilising communities and raising awareness on the importance of skills development.

In the lead-up to the fair, a four-day awareness campaign will be conducted across Iringa Municipality to sensitise youth and the broader community on the opportunities that the event will offer. The main exhibition and activities will then run for three days at Mwembetogwa Grounds.

Speaking ahead of the fair, Iringa Regional Community Development Officer Saida Yusufu Mgeni emphasised the need to engage young people in practical discussions around local economic opportunities.

She said one of the key sessions will focus on unlocking economic prospects in the region, particularly in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, finance, and entrepreneurship.

The fair also serves as a platform to highlight ongoing efforts under the Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET) Project, which is supported by the Swiss government and implemented through Swisscontact.

The project seeks to strengthen vocational education and practical training, particularly for young people in underserved areas.

With a strong emphasis on employability, career preparedness, and entrepreneurship, the Youth Career Fair 2025 is expected to play a significant role in bridging the gap between education and employment, offering young participants a chance to engage directly with the people and institutions shaping the job market.