ADDIS ABABA – Media professionals are being called upon to play a crucial role in raising public awareness about the importance of skills development and fostering private sector involvement in Ethiopia’s agro-processing sector.
This appeal was made during a media engagement workshop held on Wednesday, focusing on the Agro-Processing Sector Skills Body (SSB)—an initiative designed to bridge the skills gap and enhance productivity in the sector.
Ministry of Labour and Skills (MoLS) Technical and Vocational Education State Minister Teshale Berecha (PhD) the described the SSB as a “game-changer” and a “model for other sectors.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to linking skills development with job creation and highlighted the recent endorsement of the revised education and training policy, along with an updated TVET strategy that prioritizes private sector participation.
“Without the engagement of all actors, including the private sector, we cannot achieve effective skills development,” he stated, acknowledging the current disconnect between graduate skills and labour market demands.
He outlined plans to strengthen private sector involvement in labour market studies, curriculum development, and training.
The ILO Country Office Director Ndaba Khumbula praised the collaborative effort and the SSB’s role in “building a conducive ecosystem for skills and employability.”
He emphasized the SSB’s governance function in aligning skills development with labour market needs and highlighted the ILO’s support through the Pro-Agro-ILO Ethiopia program. Additionally, he urged media professionals to educate the public on decent work, labour standards, and the significance of skills development.
The SSB Chairperson Tewodros Zewdie stressed the urgency of addressing the skills gap in Ethiopia, particularly with its rapidly growing youth population.
He pointed out the existing mismatch between TVET training and industry demands and commended MoLS for taking “bold measures” to implement demand-driven, industry-oriented skills development.
Drawing inspiration from the Netherlands’ successful agricultural sector, he attributed its achievements to strong public-private sector collaboration. He urged the media to prioritize skills development coverage, recognizing their role in informing and engaging the public.
The workshop underscored that the SSB will take the lead in identifying the specific needs of agro-processing sub-sectors, working with training institutions and employers to develop relevant curricula and training programs. The discussions reinforced the importance of private sector engagement in producing a skilled workforce, with a collective call for media support to amplify these efforts.
The event, jointly organized by MoLS and the International Labour Organization (ILO), brought together government officials and media professionals to discuss the significance of demand-driven skills development in Ethiopia’s agro-processing sector.
BY EYUEL KIFLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2025
