Linking vocational education and training (VET) progression pathways into the academic route in Tanzania: Case study in electrical and mechanical engineering programmes at Arusha technical college (ATC)

The bridging course was designed by the Vocational and Education Training Authority (VETA) in collaboration with three technical Colleges/Institutions: Arusha Technical College, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology and Mbeya University of Science and Technology under the auspices of National Council for Technical Education (NACTE). The course was an immediate solution to the missing link between the Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway for graduates and the Tanzanian national education model.  Data were collected from a random sample of 350 students, from various parts of the country, to analyze the problem. Comparison tests of performance between students from the bridging course and from other educational routes were conducted. Results demonstrate that, the bridging course is a substantive solution to enabling VET students to progress toward further studies. Bridging courses in Technical Colleges and Institutes of Technology offer a valuable contribution to the vocational training sector if sponsored by both Government and Private sector in terms of fiscal and non-fiscal resources. Key words: VETA, NACTE, progression pathways, bridging Course, academic route.