In the present climate, the idea of technology and innovation has been conquering the whole world as it brings lots of benefits to the people of the world. Developed countries around the globe use the sector as a prime weapon to stay in influence the whole momentum of the economic political and societal dominance and power.
Nations have been working on putting their young citizens into action in the sector so that they can build the next generation that can equip itself with up-to-date and modern technologies and innovations.
Realizing a well-versed society with technology and innovation, the key path to the desire objective is developing, equipping, and supporting technical and vocational training centers. In numerous scenarios, technical and vocational training centers have been used as the hub of creativity. Countries such as Switzerland, Norway, and other Far East countries have used their training centers to give the opportunity for their young ones to exert their potential in order to create new ideas and technologies.
Coming to the Ethiopian context, the country has done a lot to expand its technical and vocational training centers under the notion of creating skilled man power. The Government of Ethiopia takes the importance of these centers and has been establishing them across the country. Besides, the incumbent created partnership with nations who have the experience.
Accordingly, LG- KOICA Hope College is one of the many technical and vocational training centers in Ethiopia. The college is a charity- based institution which was established nine years ago in 2014. Based on the college’s magazine, the TVET College is established with the vision of assisting the national economic progress through providing quality TVET to young Ethiopians. In addition, the college has been helping trainees build the foundation for self-reliance and financial independence. The college is financed and supported by organization namely: a non- governmental organization, World Together/ Ethiopia, LG Electronics Company, and KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency).
Besides, the document states that the college is mainly established to contribute to the technological development of the nation by transferring LG competencies to cultivate skilled technicians and to organize and offer quality market driven TVET programs focusing on electronics and ICT through nurturing innovative creativity.
Recently, LG-KOICA Hope TVET College has organized an event dubbed ‘2023 graduates project exhibition and employment fair’ at its premises here. The college also invited honorable guests and other responsible stakeholders.
Delivering the opening speech, the college Dean, Tariku Gebremedhin stated that the event is aiming at linking employers and Ethiopian technicians who are ready to join the world of work. The main purpose of organizing this event is to create awareness on the advantages of technical and vocational trainings.
“In this college, we do not only give trainings to students, rather we are also supporting them either to find or create their own jobs,” the Dean stated.
“The college is working hard on the employment of its trainees through different job placement modalities like self-employment which is highly recommended, the local company employment, and oversea employment opportunities,” the dean stated.
As to the dean, TVET is a kind of expensive program which needs more technical equipment, tools, and investments. The donors, LG and KOICA are passionate about supporting Ethiopian youths by investing a huge amount of dollars to make the youths’ dream come true.
“In the past nine years, the college has been giving its courses for free in order to support young citizens who are in need and make them self-reliant. We mainly encourage students to create their own businesses if not we will help them find a job. The college is working closely with government bodies to make the college a center of excellence in the years to come,” the dean elaborated.
Speaking at the event, State Minister of Innovation and Technology, Huria Ali said that the Ethiopian Government has the policy of promoting TVET as a way to improve the nation’s human capital and economic development. The policy aims at making technical and vocational education and training more accessible and relevant to the needs of the economy.
“The government has adapted a digital transformation strategy named ‘Digital Ethiopia, 2025’. It focuses on developing the digital economy. Realizing the sought after objective, it works on three main packages: job creation, generating foreign currency, and building inclusive economy. These innovative projects are input for the nation’s economy.
Many creative works, as to the state minister, have the potential to decrease our expense on importing products. Again these creative projects will answer the problems of people in rural and urban areas. This makes it inclusive,” the minister noted.
Again, Huria stated that TVET plays a critical role in digital economy by providing people with the skill and knowledge to work on technology and related fields. “TVET can help to attract investments by demonstrating that there is a skilled work force available to support the development and use of new technologies,” Huria mentioned.
The State Minister noted that the private sector should give these youths the chance to be the part of their institutions as the nation gives priority to the private sector. The sector should take and back such creative ideas and financial organizations should also play their role in supporting them. The government is facilitating everything.
“Such job fairs and exhibitions show that Ethiopia has potential young citizens who can invent new ideas. TVET is one of the many priorities included in government’s policy. To address the objective, government and responsible bodies are working on providing quality trainings with professional teachers and trainers assisting with standard infrastructures. Besides, the government will allocate budget if it is necessary,” Huria added.
Remembering the two nation’s history, Seonmook Lee, Country Director of World Together Organization, said that they are supporting such kind of projects financially. Apart from giving trainings on technology and skills, they are mainly working with students’ change in attitude and mindset. They are helping them to be self-reliant.
“In the coming years, as World Together Organization, we are working on helping Korean veterans and making them self- dependent. We are working on income generating activities,” the director elucidated.
Similarly, Mesfin Cheru, a teacher and Electronics Department Head of the college, on his part said that the purpose of establishing the college is making students create their own jobs and become self- independent. To this regard, almost all of the graduate students have jobs. They even have their students in Dubai, Kenya, and Djibouti.
Mesfin further elaborated; “Every course given in the institution is project- based so that students are evaluated based on their performances. Besides, one of our major tasks is to monitor our students even after graduation. The college has all the information about every student.”
Furthermore, Mikael Nigussie is one of this year’s graduate students who invented and exhibited a smart security system with his friends. He testified that the college plays a significant role in their life. The college helps students who need help and facilitate foreign job opportunities and field tour experiences. He also likes the way the college works on attitude. The college is the one that let him encounter with modern technology equipment.
BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 25 AUGUST 2023
