“I’m really thrilled that we got the recognition. This for me is a springboard to push on and get more companies involved to help.”
The International Apprenticeship and Competence Academy (IACA) was named Africa and Rest of the World Regional Training Provider of the Year at the Engineering Construction Industry (ECI) Training and Development Awards 2024.
The company was honoured at a prestigious ceremony at One Marylebone in London organised by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), which celebrated excellence in training and development.
IACA was also shortlisted for the overall International Training Provider of the Year, which acknowledges and celebrates excellence in the delivery of ECITB-approved training, products and services by an ECITB Global licensed provider.
In particular, the company was recognised for its work in Tanzania’s energy and mining sectors advocating for ECITB training and testing.
IACA, the only ECITB Global Licensed Training Provider in Tanzania, is developing a network of technical training centres across the country to support industrial development with apprenticeship programmes and skills assessment of thousands of existing Tanzanian trades people.
The company, which offers ECITB Global training such as the International Health and Safety Passport (IHSP) and the Chargehand Development Course, aims for Tanzanians to be internationally accredited so they can work for the betterment of Tanzania and elsewhere in the world.
“Congratulations to IACA for winning this accolade.
“The IACA is a relative newcomer to the ECITB but in its first three years with us, has worked tirelessly to gain traction in Tanzania’s energy and mining sectors.
“It has been a stalwart advocate for ECITB training and testing and promotes the benefits of these with Geita Gold Mines, Capital Drilling, the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline and the country’s sugar producers.
“Working closely to and advising the Tanzanian Government’s Vocational Education Training Authority, NACTVET, and the Engineers Registration Board, IACA has consistently demonstrated an unstinting entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering desire to raise the standards of vocational training in Tanzania.”
Tristan Kemp
ECITB Head of Commercial
‘Giving something back’
Peter Gathercole, founder and Managing Director at IACA, has spoken of his pride at being involved with ECITB Global and being its representative in the East African country.
Himself a former apprentice in Stockport in the UK, Peter’s career in the engineering construction industry took him to Tanzania where he ended up settling.
“Over the years that I have been involved in the energy business and engineering construction, I thought that training would be an avenue where I could pay back.
“Apprenticeships are not common in Africa, so I was always of the opinion that I could get involved in a training company and give something back.
“Tanzania is a developing country. More big international companies are coming in and they need a skilled workforce. I’m trying to change the landscape, raise the standard of vocational education and give Tanzanians a future and the same opportunities that I had.
“My objective is not just about my company, it’s about helping national training providers and regulators understand what the formula for success is.
“Industry-led training is the formula for success and that’s what I’m trying to promote in Tanzania.”
Peter Gathercole
Founder and Managing Director at IACA
ECITB Global works with 65 licensed training providers across 23 countries worldwide to deliver internationally recognised training and qualifications in key ECI skills and health and safety programmes.
