It uses a public-private development partnership approach that enables a wider collaboration and the dissemination of gathered knowledge for the greater public good, and includes partners such as Volvo, Festo, Scania, International Youth Foundation as well as vocational training centres in Ethiopia, Iraq, Morocco and Zambia.

“This approach brings together stakeholders from the national vocational training system, the donor community, development agencies, and international companies. Once a year, partners get together to reflect on the results achieved. This time, over 30 participants shared their experiences and lessons learnt, and discussed issues such as the financial sustainability of vocational training centres and the systemic change in vocational training systems,” said UNIDO project manager Virpi Stucki.

“The workshop also offered training sessions on project development and on an online software solution to monitor data collected from the various training academies. Participants also visited the Selam Vocational Training Centre, and were very motivated to see the high number of female students and trainers there.”

Selam Children’s Village, a non-governmental organization that helps orphans and destitute community children in Ethiopia improve their lives, is one of the partners and the host of this year’s workshop. Its Managing Director, Zenebe Tesfaye, said that “the workshop allowed us to exchange experiences with other countries where similar initiatives are already taking place. This enables us to equip young people in Ethiopia with skills needed in the public and private sector, which will greatly increase their employment opportunities”.

For more information, please contact:

Virpi Stucki
UNIDO Project Manager, Agro-Industries Technology Unit
email