Hiring gaps blamed for lack of soft skills

Dar es Salaam. Improper recruitment practices, nepotism, salary budget constraints, and failure to adhere to professional standards during hiring processes have been cited as major challenges causing a lack of soft skills in many workplaces across Tanzania.

According to the secretary general of the Tanzania Human Resource and Administration Professionals Association (THRAPA), Mr Denis Derua, these issues continue to hinder organizations from attracting and retaining the right talent, further affecting overall productivity.

Speaking yesterday ahead of the fourth national professional conference themed The Future Workforce Powered by Artificial Intelligence, to be held in Zanzibar, Mr Derua stressed that soft skills development must begin before individuals even enter the job market.

“The problem of missing soft skills is not just within the workplace—it begins even before a young person is hired. The current employment landscape is part of the challenge, making it difficult for many employers to find the right people for the job,” he said.

He noted that many employers do not follow proper procedures during recruitment, often opting to hire based on family ties or to cut costs, which compromises the quality of talent brought into organizations.

“In some cases, employers are trying to reduce their wage bills by recruiting less qualified individuals to simply fill a position, rather than considering merit and long-term fit,” Mr Derua added.

He emphasised that the recruitment process itself significantly influences the presence—or absence—of soft skills in the workplace.

“For example, accountants are required to have a CPA to be employed, and doctors must be certified by the relevant medical board. This shows that there should be clear professional benchmarks for any position. Otherwise, anyone can be hired for any role regardless of suitability,” he said.

To address these gaps, THRAPA regularly engages with employers and professionals through conferences and workshops aimed at improving workplace standards and promoting new technologies.

“We partner with government institutions and stakeholders across the country to explore new frameworks, technologies, and ethics that can help build a professional and competent workforce,” he said.

THRAPA Chairperson, Mr Christopher Kabalika also highlighted the need to prepare graduates with essential skills such as negotiation, noting that many young professionals enter the workforce without the ability to assert themselves.

“We’re seeing a trend where young people accept any terms offered to them simply because they don’t know how to negotiate. This is why we are setting up a centre that will empower them with these skills before they enter the workforce,” he said.

He urged graduates to use the time after university to expand their skillsets beyond formal education.