In the next decade, entrepreneurship development is expected to be the main source of job opportunity and national economic growth. According to scholars, these days, entrepreneurship development has gained increasing significance in developing nation’s economy. Entrepreneurial development along with management has come to be recognized globally as the key to rapid and suitable economic development as well as the welfare and progress of mankind.
With the growing emphasis on the role of micro, small and medium enterprise in view of their contributions to employment generation, capital creation, industrial development and diversification in product, product lines raising standards of living, regional development and economic growth, the entrepreneurship development movement round the world received significant attention.
On top of that, the Ethiopian government is also working vigorously in escalating the quality and confidence of the entrepreneurs. The field of entrepreneurship as an academic discipline draws from various fields of study. Currently, entrepreneurship as a discipline has also gained one of the most important places in the business world.
Cognizant of the aforementioned advantages, the Ministry of Labor and Skills has recently commenced “National Standard Entrepreneurship Training Manuals” which was prepared by Mela Development Training and Consultancy Services P.L.C. The project was financed by Enhancing Job Opportunities and Employability of Youth and Women (EnJOY) project in collaboration with UNDP.
During the handing over event of the manuals last week, Labor and Skills State Minister Beker Shale (PhD) said that the manuals are seemingly important to enhance the activity of the Ministry and fill the gaps witnessed among job seekers. It is also vital for stabilizing the national economy, he added.
Mentioning that the choice between to work for a boss (to be employed) or to be a boss (to be self-employed) is a fundamental decision in one’s life, he stated that Knowing about entrepreneurship and that it takes to be an entrepreneur will help participants to make the right decision.
As to him, the three crucial components of the manual namely; life skill, work readiness and entrepreneurship guideline are significant to train the trainers. As unemployment is amongst the big challenges of the government, the Ministry has a lot to do in this regard, he noted.
He further accentuated that the Ministry has opened its door for all public and private partners that have an interest to work in unison with the government as per the Ministry’s demand in a way to reduce unemployment over the nation.
Being thankful for a group of experts who have put their utmost potential in preparing the manuals, he explained the ministry’s readiness to use, implement and adopt the training manuals to the ground.
EnJOY Project Manager Serah Kohls on her part said the project is highly significant to help the government’s effort in minimizing youth and women unemployment.
Noting that the entrepreneurship, job preparation and life skills training directive is aimed at university and technical and vocational students as well as entrepreneurs she further stated it is important for Ethiopia with a large number of young people.
She also accentuated that her office is highly dedicated in further strengthening its commitment to work with the Ethiopian government in reducing unemployment and supporting entrepreneurs. The better trained entrepreneurs, the better economic advantage they bring for them and the country too, she noted.
Switzerland, CARITAS Country Director Jens Steuernagel for his part said that the general goal of the training manual is to help life skills, work readiness and entrepreneurship training in Ethiopia to be standardized and use this manual as a reference and guide to be used for the context it refers to.
As to him, the development of this training manual was financed by the European Union through the EnJOY Project – Enhancing Job Opportunities and Employability for Youth and Women. This project is being implemented by Caritas Switzerland and the consortium partners Ethiopian Catholic Church – Social Development Commission, Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo and Vita.
While mentioning Ethiopia is among Caritas Switzerland’s larger Programs, where its commitment started with an emergency response in 1974, he explained that Ethiopia should appreciate and support youth entrepreneurs to further strengthening the national economy better than before.
Some scholars also say entrepreneurship is a dynamic process of creating incremental wealth. According to this definition firstly, the process of creating wealth is continuous. Secondly this process of creating wealth is performed in different ways than the usual one. Mostly people tend to see simple tasks. People with the skill of Entrepreneurship, however, tend to perform activities that require a different skill of creating wealth rather than what others are accustomed to.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, Bahru Gemechu, a college Lecturer of Management and Entrepreneurship development, said that Ethiopia can be benefited more if the government continued in exploiting the potential of new entrepreneurs. As entrepreneurship is a continuous process which is related to the development and continuity of business, both entrepreneurs and the government should build commitment and patience for better advantages, he added.
“Other tasks or responsibilities are accomplished by people who are accountable and responsible. But tasks that are done under entrepreneurship are accomplished by entrepreneurs who take full responsibility and who effect change. This is because Entrepreneurship is related to starting a new business to produce new products and give new services. What makes entrepreneurship what it is, is the unique way that creates the new products and services.”
Bahiru further accentuated that the entrepreneurs need training for their achievements. Therefore, the training manual which was commenced by the government last week is of paramount importance to help those practitioners in their better economic contribution. As to hem, new job creativity opportunities are also created in base of competition. Activities, which can attract many customers, will lay a wide ground of prosperity. The entrepreneurs in a growing economy grow together, he explained.
He further called up on the Diasporas to invest their knowledge, experience and money in their country through opening the doors for youths to be engaged in entrepreneurship projects. Moreover, they can organize a unit under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies to facilitate the aforementioned engagements, he noted.
If the youths are participating in creating their own jobs, it is significant to prepare and initiate themselves for better success coupled with getting independence in their own effort and create opportunity for economic development of others and be competent. For him, bringing continuous improvement through learning, taking training, reading and developing their own quality as well as creating wealth beyond their consumption are also amongst their advantages.
Yet, in doing so, they need to follow the principles of honesty in their work, loving their country, loving their job, hardworking, independent, personal freedom and saving. If they are doing so, Bahiru pointed out that they can be better productive, profitable, competent, tax payers and develop their entrepreneurial skill.
And the training will also help young entrepreneurs to enter in to the culture of modern business, to use their resources for creative and better investment, to collaborate to compete in the continental and international market and to have different programs of group development activities and provisions of increase for generating and motivating them. As a result, they can play unceasing role for the growth of the nation’s economy coupled with supporting their livelihood, he underscored.
BY HIZKEL HAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 20 MARCH 2022
