Abdi Mowlid and his classmates at Jigjiga Polytechnic College

Skills training

A New Spark: Abdi's journey from labourer to electrician

Through an ILO-supported vocational training in Ethiopia, Abdi Mowlid Abdi transformed from a struggling labourer to a professional electrician, securing contracts and ensuring a better future for his family.

13 March 2025

Kebribeyah ETHIOPIA (ILO News) - Abdi Mowlid Abdi, 29, a father of four from Kebribeyah town in Ethiopia's Somali region, struggled to make ends meet through unstable daily labour. However, a transformative training program ignited a new spark in his life, setting him on the path to a promising career.

Recognizing the growing demand for skilled electricians in Kebribeyah and its surrounding areas, the International Labour Organization (ILO), through its PROSPECTS Partnership, collaborated with Jigjiga Polytechnic College (JPTC) to offer technical training to young people from both refugee and host communities. With recommendation from the Regional Job Bureau and Refugee and Returnee Services (RRS), 74 candidates were shortlisted. Abdi, one among them, received an opportunity to train in Building Electrical Installation and a chance to enhance his life.

From November 2023 to February 2024 , Abdi immersed himself in a comprehensive training programme that blended theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. Funded by the Government of the Netherlands, this initiative is aimed to empower young people with essential vocational skills, fostering both employment and self-employment opportunities.

Abdi Mowlid engaging in a work-based learning experience at a private enterprise

As a result of the training, Abdi transformed from an unskilled labourer to professional electrician. His income has significantly increased.

”I now earn 500 to 600 Birr (US $4 to 5) per day, and it has eased a lot of financial pressure on me. I am comfortably able to provide for my family's needs,”
- Abdi Mowlid Abdi

His newfound expertise has also enabled him to secure contracts for small electrical installation projects across Kebribeyah town and the surrounding areas, further solidifying his professional reputation. Abdi's story is a testament to the power of skills development. The partnership between ILO PROSPECTS and JPTC continues to support hundreds of youths both from refugee and host communities with essential skills for employment and self-employment. The program, a three-month course, focused on skills such as, Finishing Construction Works, Building Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Beauty and Hair Dressing, Furniture Making and Food Preparation.

By investing in the education and training of young people, PROSPECTS Partnership aims to empower individuals to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. This initiative will continue to pave the way for sustainable employment, economic growth and a brighter future for the hosts and refugee communities.