ILO-supported skill training creates pathways to decent work for refugees in Ethiopia

Kebribeyah, ETHIOPIA (ILO News) – Through the PROSPECTS Partnership, funded by the Government of the Netherlands, refugees are gaining practical, in-demand skills aligned with the local labour market needs. One such beneficiary, Abdi Hussien Tahir, a 32-year-old refugee whose journey illustrates the transformative impact of inclusive skills development

Abdi was born and grew up in Kebribeyah refugee settlement. Despite holding a diploma in General Metal Fabrication from Jigjiga Polytechnic College (JPTC), he struggled to secure stable employment. “I used to volunteer in the community, but it was irregular and I only earned a minimal income,” he recalled.

Recognizing the need to link training more closely to employment opportunities, the ILO supported the delivery of a three-month Building Electrical Installation training at JPTC Kebribeyah Satellite Centre.

The training, which included both theoretical lessons and practical, hands-on experience along with a workplace training at the local enterprise, proved to be a turning point.

“This time, I knew the occupation had demand in the area. I also had a passion for it,” said Abdi. His dedication paid off: Abdi was among the top-performing trainees and received a starter set of professional tools, such as a multimeter, pliers, a voltage tester, an electrician's knife, a meter and a hammer, upon graduation—an ILO-supported measure to help graduates transition into work immediately.

The establishment of the JPTC Kebribeyah Satellite Centre was itself a deliberate intervention to reduce barriers to access .

Gizeshwork Tadesse, National Skill Development Officer, said, “By establishing the centre in Kebribeyah, an area with a large refugee population and limited formal training opportunities, we aim to equip youth with market-relevant skills, enhance employability, and foster economic inclusion”.

“In my previous learning experience, I had to live in Jigjiga town with very limited support. Attending the training at the satellite center, closer to home, was much better, as it made it possible for me to focus entirely on learning,” Abdi explained.

Today, Abdi is applying his skills across both refugee and host communities by taking on small electrical installation contracts and household electrical work. He now earns an average of 8,000 Birr (approximately US $55) per month, enabling him to support his family and build a more secure future. His wife, a member of the host community, works in a government office, and together they are raising two children.

Looking ahead, Abdi hopes to expand his business and take on larger contracts. “I still want to learn more and start contracting bigger buildings and advance my skill,” he shared.

The ILO’s PROSPECTS programme aims to improve access to decent work for forcibly displaced persons and host communities.

“Abdi’s story is a powerful example of how inclusive skills development can unlock potential and foster resilience,” says Stephen Opio, Chief Technical Advisor, ILO PROSPECTS Ethiopia and Sudan. “By investing in market-relevant training, we are helping individuals like Abdi build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to their communities.”