Assessment of Employability Skills Acquired by Livestock Technicians Trained Under Competence-Based Education and Training in Tanzania

The livestock sector in Tanzania plays a crucial role in boosting economic growth and providing employment; however, a significant skills gap remains between graduates of Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) and industry expectations. This study assesses how well CBET curricula align with employer needs by comparing employer perceptions of essential competencies with graduates' self-assessed skills in the livestock sector. Using an explanatory research design, data were collected from 23 employers and 136 CBET graduates through structured surveys and analysed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, and thematic analysis. Results show that while graduates rate themselves highly in communication, technical skills, and workplace readiness, employers see deficiencies in professional knowledge, leadership, and practical expertise. Employers identified communication, teamwork, and problem-solving as the most important generic skills in the labour market, yet these skills were lacking among livestock technician graduates. To close the gap between graduate competencies and employer expectations, it is recommended that the Livestock CBET curriculum and content be reviewed to better reflect labour market demands. This review should include the systematic integration of generic employability skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving throughout all curriculum components, alongside technical training. It should also incorporate workplace-related learning experiences.