Image: Asella Asella Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College, located in the Arsi Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia, has been a cornerstone of skill development and employment creation since its inception in 2001. The college offers training in seven different occupations: Food and Beverage Services, School of Accountancy, Garment Production, Domestic Work, Culinary Arts, Hairdressing and Beautification, and Accounting and Finance. The institution has a total of 39 trainers (22 male and 17 female) and 30 staff members (18 male and 12 female), demonstrating a strong commitment to gender diversity and inclusion. With over 15,510 graduates, 56% of whom are female, the college boasts an impressive 99% employment rate among its trainees.
Despite its many successes, however, the College has faced significant challenges related to the lack of training materials and equipment, which has hindered its ability to provide high-quality education, particularly in the domestic work pre-departure training program, as the college provides vital knowledge and skills for domestic work, creating job opportunities for potential and returned migrant workers. However, the shortage of proper equipment and materials has placed a strain on the college's resources, making it difficult to maintain a consistent training standard and affecting the overall learning outcomes. These material shortages have not only affected the quality of education but also the college's ability to meet the ambitious training targets set by the regional plan.
In light of this, the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), conducted an extensive needs assessment and supported the centre, including through procuring over 15 items of essential tools and equipments used for Kitchen operations, Hairdressing, Domestic Work, and Food and Beverage Services (FBS) departments. This included refrigerators, laundry machines, baking machines, vacuum cleaners, irons, hair steamers, hair straighteners, hair dryers, barber chairs, hair cutting scissors, multifunctional meat cutters, coffee makers, electric oven toasters, multifunction gas and electric range cookers, flour mixers, ironing boards, dust suckers, Arabian majlis, 52-inch televisions, steam machines, Jacuzzi boilers, dishwashers, and beds with full accessories.
This extensive support has enabled the college to train 4,762 individuals in occupations such as Domestic Work, FBS, and Culinary Arts. The impact of this training is evident, with 98% of these trainees' finding employment, predominantly in countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Jordan. Additionally, the college has created job opportunities for 15 people within the institution itself, further contributing to the local economy.
The support from the ILO BRMM Programme has had an immense impact on Asella TVET College. The college has not only increased its capacity to train more individuals but has also improved the quality of training provided. The provision of consumable materials has enabled the college to become self-sufficient, significantly reducing training costs. On average, the college now incurs fewer expenses per trainee, allowing it to accommodate more students.
One of the most notable impacts has been on the local community. The college now provides bread to 6,258 students in Asella town government schools per day at low prices, making basic nutrition more accessible to many families. Additionally, the college has increased its income generation by 90%, from 1 million to 9 million Birr. A significant portion of this income has been utilized to cover training costs and provide consumables, ensuring the sustainability of the training programs.
The college has set a benchmark for other institutions and has demonstrated that with the right support and resources, vocational training can significantly enhance livelihoods and strengthen economic development.
The assistance from the ILO BRMM Programme has not only uplifted the institution but also had a far-reaching impact on the local community and beyond. The college's ability to produce competent domestic workers for international markets, create local job opportunities, and support the local economy through affordable services underscores the importance of continued investment in vocational training institutions.
However, challenges remain. The college still faces lack of adequate training rooms and fluctuations in the cost of consumable materials. To address these issues, it is recommended to facilitate experience-sharing and best practice exchanges among all TVET colleges and to ensure that occupational standards are flexible enough to address skill gaps among trainers.
