On August 30, 2024, Ethiopia officially launched its first Sector Skills Body (SSB) for the agro-processing sector, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The initiative, inaugurated by Teshale Bercha, State Minister for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) under the Ministry of Labour and Skills, aims to strengthen links between technical training, industry needs, and employability.
The Sector Skills Body brings together private sector representatives, training and certification agencies, sub-sectors, and trade unions.
Its focus is to address the skills gap in Ethiopia’s agro-processing sector by ensuring that training programs match industry requirements and that graduates enter the job market equipped with the latest skills.
This approach, commonly adopted in African countries tackling unemployment and underemployment, links education to employer demands, driving innovation and productivity.
The ILO, through its ProAgro Ethiopia project, has been instrumental in providing technical guidance and fostering partnerships with organizations such as GIZ and the World Bank to enhance skills development.
It has also facilitated regional cooperation with countries like India, China, South Africa, and Ghana, sharing best practices in private sector-led skills training and sector skills body models.
Additionally, short-term training sessions at the ITC/ILO knowledge center in Turin were organized to build national ownership and ensure the successful establishment of the SSB.
Dawit Mogus, President of the Federation of Ethiopian Employers Association (FEEA), highlighted the SSB’s crucial role in aligning education and training with industry needs.
He emphasized that the SSB will act as a bridge between employers and the workforce, ensuring that graduates are not only employable but also possess industry-relevant skills.
Engineer Getahun Hussien, President of the Confederation of Ethiopian Employers Federation (CEEF), reiterated the private sector’s commitment to collaborating with TVET institutions and enhancing trust between employers and the workforce.
He stressed that the SSB would play a vital role in addressing the skills needs of the agro-processing sector and improving productivity.
The German Embassy’s representative, Susanne Duering, praised the collective efforts of all stakeholders involved, noting that decent employment and productivity are achievable when people have access to skills development and fair wages.
ILO Project Manager, Anthony Agyenta, reaffirmed the ILO’s continued support for Ethiopia’s efforts to link TVET programs with industry demands.
He outlined future plans, including the establishment of sub-national Sector Skills Committees, stakeholder engagement, and building a comprehensive industry and labor market information database for the agribusiness sector.
