ILO News (Jimma, Ethiopia) – A four-day ILO training programme in Jimma has strengthened the capacity of TVT instructors, curriculum developers and career counsellors to deliver essential core skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork, digital literacy and green skills. The training equips instructors with practical methods and action plans that will help to improve the transition of young people into decent work and promote better alignment between the school training and the needs of the labour market.

From the opening session, participants identified self-management, communication and problem solving as their top priorities for improvement, skills that directly influence students’ transition into decent work. These expectations provided the foundation for a highly interactive programme centred on real-world teaching challenges and practical application.

Trainer speaking infront of trainees

© ILO/Homa M. Ejeta
The training contributes directly to national efforts to build a more market-responsive skills development system

A Practical Focus on Employability Skills

Throughout the week, participants explored ways to integrate essential core skills, including communication, teamwork, conflict management, digital basics and green skills, into their day-to-day teaching and learner support services. Sessions combined group work, scenario-based learning, self-reflection exercises and hands-on demonstrations of assessment methods.

Participants noted that the interactive and hands-on design of the training significantly improved their confidence.

Daniel Moges, Instructor at Chercher Polytechnic College, shared: “This training helped me understand how essential core skills are for today’s learners. I gained practical tools in communication, problem solving and digital skills that will support my trainees to work more effectively and confidently. I now plan to integrate core skills across all competencies and use methods such as role play, brainstorming and demonstration to help my trainees learn in more interactive ways.”

Ameha Alemayehu, Instructor at Wolkite Polytechnic College, added: “The most significant skills I gained are social and emotional skills, cognitive and meta-cognitive skills, digital skills and skills for green TVT. When I return to my institution, I will share what I have learned and help trainers to integrate core skills with technical skills through realistic scenarios. This will make their learning more relevant and prepare them better for the workplace.”

By the end of the training, participants reported stronger confidence in applying structured approaches to teaching core skills and in supporting learners to build workplace-relevant competencies.

Trainer engaging trainees in an interactive session

© ILO/Homa M. Ejeta
The training in Jimma also contributes to wider collaboration across participating institutions, creating opportunities for peer learning

Connecting Training to Labour Market Needs

Ethiopia continues to face challenges related to skills mismatch, particularly among young graduates. Many employers highlight limited employability skills as a barrier to productivity and smooth entry into working life. Strengthening the delivery of core skills at the institutional level is therefore essential to supporting inclusive growth and competitiveness.

The training contributes directly to national efforts to build a more market-responsive skills development system, one that equips learners not only with technical knowledge but also with the foundational behaviours required in modern workplaces.

Action Plans for Integration in the lesson plans

On the final day, each participant developed a personalised action plan outlining how they will apply the tools and methods learned. These commitments include mainstreaming core skills in session plans, introducing new facilitation techniques, strengthening digital literacy components and integrating environmental awareness into practical exercises. These actions will support sustained improvements in how core skills are delivered within TVT colleges.

Trainees doing group work around a table

© ILO/Homa M. Ejeta
Participants noted that the interactive and hands-on design of the training significantly improved their confidence

Part of a Larger National Effort

The initiative is part of the ILO’s Global Skills Programme, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), which aims to enhance skills anticipation, reduce mismatches and promote more inclusive and future-focused training systems.

The training in Jimma also contributes to wider collaboration across participating institutions, creating opportunities for peer learning, shared tools and continued capacity strengthening.

A Step Toward Stronger Transitions into Work

By empowering instructors with improved methods, clearer frameworks and learner-centred approaches, the Core Skills Training supports Ethiopia’s broader goal of enabling young people to access decent employment and contribute to the country’s growth. The ILO, together with national partners, will continue supporting TVT institutions as they integrate core skills into curricula and teaching practices in the months ahead.

About Global Skills Programme – Ethiopia component

The ILO Global Skills Programme component in Ethiopia, focuses on improving the quality and inclusion of Ethiopia’s skills development system. It addresses key challenges by enhancing Technical and Vocational Training (TVT), strengthening skills to support international trade, and promoting social inclusion for marginalized groups like women and people with disabilities. The program uses a multi-component approach that includes skills anticipation, strengthening the skills system, and ensuring social inclusion through various initiatives such as green skills training and digital hub.

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