Strong water systems need skilled people to keep them running. In Zanzibar, GWC is helping prepare local professionals to train the next generation of water workers.
Earlier this month, 24 participants gathered at the Karume Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) for the second of three hands-on trainings focused on water and wastewater management.
The group included teachers with backgrounds in plumbing, electrical systems, hydrogeology, and engineering, along with technicians from the Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA). While participants brought different areas of expertise, they shared a common goal: strengthening their technical skills and preparing to teach future water professionals.
Building on the first session, participants practiced water quality testing, wastewater treatment processes, and electrical systems. They also developed teaching skills to help them share their knowledge with students at KIST. Institutions involved in the training included KIST, AVT, and the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
A highlight of the training was a visit to The Mora Zanzibar, a beach resort recognized for its sustainable environmental practices. Participants toured the resort’s wastewater management systems, connecting classroom lessons with real-world operations and discussing how responsible wastewater management helps protect surrounding beaches and waterways.
One participant, Ali Kassim, stood out for his dedication. Each morning, he arrived early to practice using water quality testing equipment, carefully reviewing procedures until he felt confident performing the tests and teaching others to do the same.
His commitment reflected the enthusiasm of the group. Participants wanted not only to strengthen their own skills but also to ensure they could accurately pass that knowledge on to others.
All 24 participants completed the training and received certificates. With one more session ahead, GWC is helping prepare local instructors who can equip future water professionals with the skills to safely operate and maintain water systems.
Building the Next Generation of Water Professionals
This training is part of GWC’s broader commitment to preparing the next generation of water professionals through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Similar to trade schools and technical colleges, TVET institutions provide practical, career-focused education in fields such as plumbing, electrical work, and engineering. GWC works with local partners to bring specialized water and wastewater education into these existing institutions by developing curricula and training the instructors who will teach them.
GWC has already seen this approach work well in Ghana, where we developed Ghana’s first government-accredited water technology curriculum for TVET institutions, creating new opportunities for students to pursue careers in the water sector. In Zanzibar, similar efforts are underway at KIST, where developing local teaching capacity is an important step toward establishing sustainable water technology education.
By strengthening both the curriculum and the people who teach it, GWC is investing in local expertise that can support safe, reliable water services for years to come.