TVET Officials and Instructors Across Ethiopia skills strengthened on Core Skills

Between 14 July and 15 August 2025, the ILO BRMM programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Skills, conducted three rounds of Training of Trainers for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) officials and instructors. The training sessions were held in Hawassa and Adama and reached 107 participants, including 23 women, representing 53 TVET institutions nationwide, with particular focus on regions with high outward labour migration.

The objective of the programme was to strengthen institutional capacity to integrate core skills into TVET teaching and preparation programmes for potential migrant workers. Core skills covered during the training included communication, teamwork, problem-solving, foundational digital literacy, entrepreneurial mindset, and job search and career development - priority competencies for graduates seeking employment in both domestic and overseas labour markets.

Training was delivered through interactive workshops, practical exercises, and group discussions facilitated jointly by ILO and the Ministry trainers. Participants reviewed international frameworks on core skills, assessed Ethiopia’s current TVET context, and identified gaps within existing curricula. They also practised facilitation methods and techniques designed to improve classroom delivery, learner engagement, and practical application.

Daily sessions introduced the global core skills framework before moving into thematic modules on social and emotional skills, cognitive and metacognitive skills, entrepreneurship, environmental awareness, digital skills, and career development. Through role-plays, real-life scenarios and hand on tasks, trainers explored how these skills could be effectively transferred into regular teaching practice. Participants also discussed approaches for assessing core skills and supporting the transition from school to work.

A strong emphasis was placed on application rather than theory. Participants developed individual and institutional action plans outlining how they would integrate core skills into teaching upon return to their institutions. These plans included timelines, curriculum adjustments, and follow-up activities. A strong emphasis was placed on application rather than theory. Trainers were encouraged to contextualize delivery approaches and apply participatory adult-learning methodologies.

To sustain engagement, a dedicated Telegram platform was created to facilitate continuous communication, resource sharing, and peer support among trained trainers. Participants also received digital training packages and reference materials to support cascade training.

Each participant committed to training at least ten additional instructors within three months, creating a cascading mechanism expected to benefit more than 530 trainers nationwide. Based on current enrolment levels across participating institutions, the core skills training is projected to benefit over 20,000 potential and returning migrant workers by March 2026.

The Training of Trainers initiative contributes to the BRMM programme’s objectives of strengthening labour migration governance, improving skills development pathways, and reinforcing the role of TVET institutions in preparing workers for safe, productive and better-regulated employment opportunities at home and abroad.