Investing in Skills for a Shared Future
Young people are among the greatest assets of any nation. Yet, in Ethiopia, many youth face significant challenges due to unemployment and limited access to marketable skills. Equipping them with practical skills is more than providing vocational training; it is opening doors to opportunity, restoring hope, and building resilient communities.
Young people are among the greatest assets of any nation. Yet, in Ethiopia, many youth face significant challenges due to unemployment and limited access to marketable skills. Equipping them with practical skills is more than providing vocational training; it is opening doors to opportunity, restoring hope, and building resilient communities.
Recognizing this need, Kelem Ethiopia established the Job-Oriented Youth Skills (JOYS) Center in Kombolcha to bridge the gap between unemployment and employable skills.
Building Skills That Lead to Employment
Through the JOYS Center, more than 1,000 unemployed young people have received intensive short-term training in five highly marketable fields:
- Plumbing
- Gypsum installation
- Ceramic and tile works
- Garment production and,
- Electrical installation
These fields were carefully selected based on current labor market demand, enabling graduates to either secure employment or establish their own businesses in Ethiopia’s growing construction and manufacturing sectors.
For many trainees, the program has become a turning point that has reshaped both their careers and their outlook on life.
“The Training Boosted My Creativity and Built My Confidence”
Eshetu always possessed natural talent and practical experience. However, without formal training, he struggled to expand his opportunities and compete professionally.
Determined to improve
his future, he enrolled in Kelem Ethiopia’s JOYS training program.
The combination of classroom instruction and practical, hands-on experience transformed his abilities.
“The training exceeded my expectations,” Eshetu recalls. “It strengthened the traditional skills I already had, introduced me to new techniques, and boosted my creativity. Today, I work with confidence because I have both practical experience and professional knowledge.”
his future, he enrolled in Kelem Ethiopia’s JOYS training program.
The combination of classroom instruction and practical, hands-on experience transformed his abilities.
“The training exceeded my expectations,” Eshetu recalls. “It strengthened the traditional skills I already had, introduced me to new techniques, and boosted my creativity. Today, I work with confidence because I have both practical experience and professional knowledge.”
Breaking Barriers, Building Dreams
For Hanan Ibrahim, the JOYS Center became a place to challenge stereotypes and redefine possibilities. In a profession traditionally viewed as men’s work, Hanan chose to specialize in gypsum and ceramic installation. Through determination and practical training, she proved that skill and commitment, not gender, determine success.
“Thanks to Kelem Ethiopia, I’ve become a professional,” Hanan proudly says.
Today, she serves as an inspiring example for other young women who aspire to pursue careers in technical fields. Her ambition goes beyond personal achievement. She hopes to encourage more women to enter skilled professions and make a lasting contribution to her community.
Creating a Ripple Effect
The impact of the JOYS Center extends far beyond individual graduates. Many trainees have gone on to:
- Secure stable employment.
- Establish their own businesses.
- Create job opportunities for other unemployed youth.
- Mentor aspiring young professionals.
- Support their families and contribute to their local economies.
The skills they acquire become lifelong assets that cannot be taken away. As graduates succeed, they multiply the program’s impact by sharing their knowledge, creating employment, and inspiring others to pursue productive livelihoods.
Investing in Youth Means Investing in the Future
Providing young people with practical skills is about much more than teaching a trade. It builds confidence and restores dignity. It not only creates entrepreneurs but also fuels local economic growth. Most importantly, it empowers young people to become agents of change within their own communities.
As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day with a theme, “Skills for a Shared Future,” the success stories emerging from Kelem Ethiopia’s JOYS Center remind us that investing in youth is one of the most rewarding investments any society can make.
Author: Hassina Ousman
