Ethiopia Launches Its New National TVT Strategy — A Major Step Toward a Skilled and Future-Ready Workforce
Ethiopia has officially launched its National Technical and Vocational Training (TVT) Strategy on 13 November 2025 in Addis Ababa—ushering in a new era of skills development and youth empowerment.
In her opening remark, H.E. Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Labor and Skills, emphasized the central role of skills in Ethiopia’s development agenda. She said, “Skills development remains at the core of our sectoral reforms, with the labour market serving as the guiding framework for all our initiatives.”
She further emphasized the Strategy’s transformational nature: “This strategy is far more than a policy document—it is a practical guide to Ethiopia’s socio-economic transformation.” Her remarks reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to modernising training, nurturing patriotic and productive professionals, and building a TVT system aligned with national growth priorities.
With over 70% of the population under 30 and 2.2 million young people entering the labour market each year, the Strategy addresses a national imperative: building a competitive, innovative, and inclusive workforce.
State Minister of Labor and Skills Dr. Teshale Berecha stated the new TVT Strategy aims to expand equitable access to training, improve the quality and relevance of skills development, foster job readiness through entrepreneurship, soft skills, and digital literacy, strengthen governance and institutional performance, as well as advance research, innovation, and industry partnerships.
Developed by the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) with support from regional authorities, the private sector, and international development partners—including Germany and the European Union—the Strategy aims to strengthen quality, relevance, institutional capacity, and industry linkages across the TVT landscape.
Representing the regional labor and skills bureaus, heads of Somalia, Amhara, South Ethiopia as well as Vice Head of Oromia Bureau of Labor and Skills expressed their commitment for the successful implementation of the TVT Strategy.
Dr. Alemayehu Tadesse, Vice President and Head of the South Ethiopia Region Labor and Skills Bureau, emphasized that the strategy will serve as a cornerstone for skills development, fostering innovation, and positively contributing to the economy.
Anja Pauls, Head of Development Cooperation in the German Embassy, highlighted the importance of partnership and youth-focused development: “The challenge before all of us is to equip this young generation with the skills and competencies that will enable them to shape their own futures.”
She reiterated Germany’s long-standing commitment to strengthening Ethiopia’s TVT sector. “Germany warmly welcomes this new direction and stands ready to support its implementation as Ethiopia prepares a future-ready workforce with the green and digital skills demanded by tomorrow’s economy.”
Eva Junyent, Programme Officer at the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia, reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to supporting the implementation of the National TVET Strategy.
She highlighted ongoing EU investments in skills development, digital transformation, and green innovation—key drivers that will enable Ethiopia to effectively respond to labour-market demands and accelerate industrialisation in a country where youth make up majority of the population.
Representatives of the private sector, employers, public and private TVT colleges and think tank group also expressed their commitment to support the implementation of the new strategy.
Through the GIZ Ethiopia & Djibouti Ethio–German Sustainable Training and Education Programme (STEP VI) and Qualification and Employment Prospects for Refugees, IDPs, and Host Communities in Ethiopia (QEP II)projects, funded by Germany and the EU, GIZ will continue supporting MoLS in rolling out the national TVT Strategy, strengthening TVT–industry linkages, modernizing curricula and training systems, as well as scaling innovation and technology-driven training.
Ethiopia’s new TVT Strategy marks a transformative moment—positioning Technical and Vocational Training as a first-choice pathway for meaningful, practical, and future-oriented careers.
Author: Daniel Zemichal
Photos: ©️GIZ/Daniel Zemichal