Ethiopia’s vision for skills development at World Vocational Education Conference

The speaker expressed deep honor in addressing the attendees of the 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference. The theme, “Innovation Empowers the Future, Skills Enlighten New Life,” was highlighted as aligning closely with Ethiopia’s transformative vision for human capital development.

Ethiopia, with its dynamic and growing youth population, views skills development as essential to its economic progress. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has been strategically prioritized within the national development agenda, serving as a key driver of job creation and entrepreneurship. By integrating education with industry needs, Ethiopia aims to align vocational programs with labor market demands, ensuring a seamless transition for trainees into meaningful employment.

The nation’s commitment to sustainable development is exemplified through initiatives such as the Green Legacy Initiative, which has resulted in the planting of billions of trees to support a green economy. Ethiopia is equipping its youth with expertise in renewable energy technologies and climate-smart agriculture, enabling them to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy while creating sustainable job opportunities. These efforts demonstrate Ethiopia’s balanced approach to skills development, combining economic growth with environmental stewardship.

On behalf of the Ethiopian Ministry of Labor and Skills, the speaker extended gratitude to the Government of China for its support, particularly through the Luban Workshop initiative introduced in Ethiopia in 2021 under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. This initiative has significantly strengthened the partnership between Ethiopia and China.

The Luban Workshop symbolizes the shared commitment of Ethiopia and China to advancing education, technology, and skills development. Thousands of Ethiopian youth have benefited from world-class vocational training through this program, acquiring competencies necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.

Acknowledging China’s innovative support and investment, the speaker emphasized the alignment between China’s contributions and Ethiopia’s focus on human capital development and economic transformation. This partnership has empowered Ethiopia’s workforce and bolstered the country’s sustainable development trajectory.

Looking ahead, Ethiopia expressed optimism about continuing collaborations with China and the potential for new opportunities arising from this partnership. The speaker affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations to achieve shared goals and aspirations.

As the host nation of the African Union, Ethiopia pledged to use its strategic position to advance skills development across Africa. The speaker outlined Ethiopia’s aspiration to host similar conferences to foster international collaboration and exchange expertise in vocational education. The country aims to draw lessons from China’s achievements to enhance Africa’s skills development initiatives.

The launch of the World Technical and Vocational Education and Training League at the conference was praised as a timely initiative. Collaboration among African nations was emphasized as crucial for addressing shared challenges such as unemployment and skill mismatches. By pooling resources, knowledge, and best practices, African countries can foster innovation, improve training systems, and position their youth for success in a competitive global environment.

Ethiopia views the conference as an opportunity not only to share experiences but also to establish partnerships that advance skills-driven development across borders. The country is committed to participating actively in this global community, prioritizing lifelong learning to enable citizens to adapt to emerging technologies and evolving market demands.

Then, he extended gratitude to the Ministry of Education of China and the Tianjin Municipal Government for organizing the conference. The speaker emphasized that the discussions and collaborations fostered at the event would significantly contribute to global efforts toward skills-driven prosperity.

Concluding, the speaker reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to working with the global community to advance technical and vocational education. The goal is to build a future where skills serve as the foundation for innovation and opportunity worldwide.