BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
It is clear that skills development and trainings are central pillars to increase the rate of employability and join the world of work.
Weighing this, the government has been devising a number of strategies, policies and shaping the education system in a bid to equip fellow citizens with the desired knowledge, generate productive workforce and make the industry and the manufacturing sector competitive that could penetrate to the market.
According to Abera Abate, Senior Advisor to the State Minister with Federal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Agency shaping the human development ladder is instrumental in many ways as skilled human capital is the real driver of development and prosperity.
As to him, it is high time to consider the current reality on the ground when the forces of economy are highly fluctuating and are becoming unstable around the world. Countries with profound history of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) appeared as one of the major counterbalance force that could transform their economy to national prosperity, by creating skilled workforce that could operate independently in the labor market.
He further noted that Ethiopia’s TVET is framed through a vision seeking to create competent and self-reliant citizens to contribute to the economic and social development of the country thus, improving the livelihoods of all Ethiopians and sustainably reducing poverty.
TVET provides trainees with the technical skills applicable for the particular trade. As he said, in practice, different types of programs are included under the umbrella of TVET and the primary one is pre-employment VET. As to him, this one prepares individuals for the initial entry into the employment. The regular track of the TVET in Ethiopia falls under this category. The secondary program is upgrade training and offers additional training for the employed individuals. The third program is retraining; that provides training for individuals who have lost jobs or for those wishing to switch careers. The last one is remedial VET provides training to individuals out of the mainstream labor force.
The strategy is helping trainees to join the labor market early and make their livelihood productive. At the same time, it addresses nation’s burden of unemployment and poverty among the youth.
According to the nation policy and strategy document, the objective is to build demand driven, high quality, relevant technical and vocational education and training to all citizens to create component and motivated, adaptable and innovative work force which can contribute to the prosperity of the country.
To ensure the sustainability and build TVET culture, the government should improve funding in this critical sector and increase access to technical and vocational education for the ever-growing youths.
Dereje Anduanbessa, Officer at the Association of Ethiopians Educated in Germany (AEEG) for his part noted that TVET programs continue to be regarded by policy makers, higher education institutions and small and medium- sized enterprises (MSEs) as a primary means of strengthening the links between TVET and micro- enterprises. And thus offering the wherewithal to overcome the many problems faced by micro-enterprise businesses is vital.
Recognizing that the vast majority of the worldwide labor force, including knowledge workers, require technical and vocational knowledge and skills throughout life, affirm that skills development leading to age-appropriate TVET should be integral to education at all levels, and can no longer be regarded as optional or marginal.
It is especially important to integrate skills development in Education for All (EFA) programs and to satisfy TVET demand created by learners completing basic education.
He further noted that, the integration of Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Small and Micro business sectors is essential particularly in developing countries since unemployment and underemployment is high. Therefore, the TVET system has the mandate and takes responsibility for building a competent and adaptable workforce in accordance to the needs of different segment of the labor market with special emphasis to micro and small business enterprises. So, TVET is established to intensify productivity in this sector. And the linkages are often everlasting and essential when thought employability and reduction of poverty.
Both TVET and MSE sectors can only exist when each depends on the others. It seems very difficult to establish TVET institute without the function of MSE while intended to alleviate unemployment and to design objectives for creating job opportunities and self- employment tasks. That is why, from the strategic point of view, the TVET system of Ethiopia set objectives to make TVET be responsive to the needs of the labor market- to improve access to TVET for all target groups in needs of training in the Small and Micro business sectors, facilitate proper training for the progress of self-employment and the development of small and micro business which are integrated with other MSE development services; to facilitate research in liaison with MSE in order to support the increase in the production.
Nation’s TVET institutions are expected to transfer relevant technologies to MSEs sector in order to increase their productivity, improve the quality of products and services and facilitate the creation of new business. Provision of TVET programs and technology transfer services are the means to strengthen MSE in urban and semi-urban areas.
Abebe Alemu, Public Relation Acting Director of Federal TVET Agency for his part noted that, year out year in, the Agency and other pertinent stakeholders work on screening occasions that are in demand of the market.
Though the demand is growing as of now there are over one thousand and five hundred public and private TVETs nationwide.
The Ethiopian Herald February 17/2021
