Hickling Lands AfDB Contract
for Skills Development Centres in Zanzibar
The Republic of Zanzibar is best known for its exports of coconut products and spices, particularly cloves. With more visitors coming to the archipelago each year, however, tourism has been identified by the Tanzanian government as the primary foreign exchange earner. This is generating assorted opportunities supported by Multilateral Development Banks for Canadian consulting firms, such as the Canadian Technical and Vocational Group (CTVG). Managed by Ottawa-based Hickling Corporation, CTVG is playing a key role in a US$1.3-million project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to increase alternative learning and skills among Zanzibari women and unemployed youth.
Located in the Indian Ocean within the United Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar has traditionally relied on agriculture and fishing as principal economic activities. In order to contribute to human resource development and poverty reduction on this island state, the AfDB-backed Alternative Learning and Skills Development Project is providing women and out-of-school youth with vocational training, skills and employment opportunities, and linking them to current labour market opportunities, such as can be found in the growing tourism sector. This project will also encourage the development of independent entrepreneurs through the creation of business incubators at skills development centres.
Canadian expertise in vocational training
As an integral part of this project, CTVG—a permanent alliance between Hickling Corporation and three leading Ontario community colleges—was awarded a contract in January 2004 by the Tanzanian Ministry of Education to assist in establishing two skills development centres and refurbishing a third. Under this two-year, US$527,000 contract, the CTVG team is providing prototype designs for the instructional facilities and related services. These include assessments of current vocational education needs and the labour market; the creation of new curricula and testing and certification systems; recommendations for training equipment and a management information system; and associated training.
Canadian High Commission in Dar es Salaam steps in
Although CTVG possessed significant experience in the region, it had never worked in Tanzania and consequently lacked knowledge of local firms that could be partners in the event that it was awarded a contract there. So when the Group was notified by the Tanzanian Ministry of Education that it had been short-listed for the contract, its first call was to the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service. "We immediately contacted the High Commission in Dar es Salaam to request the names of reputable and experienced firms in Tanzania that could provide a group of local consultants," says Peter Loan, Principal at Hickling Corporation. "Within 48 hours, they provided a comprehensive list from which CTVG was able to find a suitable partner." A subsequent field visit was made to Zanzibar and the Tanzanian capital for discussions with the potential client, the selected local firm and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.
Key ingredient: patience
The undertaking, as can be the case in Africa, has not been all smooth sailing. Implementation was delayed a full year due to political disturbances in Côte d'Ivoire, which necessitated a move of the AfDB's operations to Tunisia. Nonetheless, working with the Bank has been straightforward, according to Loan. "The AfDB officer in charge of the project attended the contract signing, and he is responsible for paying CTVG's invoices once they are validated by the Tanzanian Ministry's Project Director."
A unique partnership in international development
Hickling Corporation has completed close to 50 consulting assignments in 45 countries worldwide. CTVG—a partnership that combines Hickling's marketing, management and business strengths with the training and technical resources of Algonquin, Humber and Conestoga colleges—was created in 1993 in order to make Canadian expertise available to developing countries that are engaged in strengthening their technical and vocational education systems. The alliance has worked extensively with national governments and funding institutions such as CIDA, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. With numerous placements on short lists for proposal submissions and two significant contract wins under its belt, CTVG has established a niche for itself in the international development marketplace.
For more information, contact:
International Financing Division,
International Trade Canada
Tel.: (613) 995-7251
E-mail: ifinet@international.gc.ca
or
Mr. Peter Loan, Principal
Hickling Corporation
Tel.: (613) 237-2220
E-mail: hickling@hickling.ca
Internet: www.hickling.ca
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