Unemployment rates in Ethiopia are highest for the age group 20-24 years old (25 % in 2018). The project aims to increase employability and employment opportunities of youth in agricultural sector in SNNPR region of Ethiopia. This will be done by improving access to and quality of local technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, enhancing market linkages of agro-processing value chain actors and increasing the managerial, financial and business skills of local Micro and small-scale enterprises (MSEs). The expected results will be in line with SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 4 (Quality education) and 8 (Decent work and economic growth).

The project will focus on strengthening the technical, pedagogical and operational capacity of four target TVET colleges which will benefit from new equipment and expert assistance with revision of curricula and training of the staff. More practical work-based learning and exposure visits will be facilitated for TVET trainees thanks to cooperation with career centres and private sector. At the same time, an official coordination platform for public private partnership will be established to forge networking between the actors and facilitate the connection between the companies and the graduates with the right set of experience and skills.

In addition, there will be a campaign to raise youth awareness regarding available training and employment opportunities in agro-processing industry and a website including available job/internship positions, relevant events (such as workshops or job fairs) and practical advice for students will be created. Moreover, an analysis of various financial packages available in SNNPR will be conducted with the aim of helping the TVET graduates to get loans for establishing their own enterprises more easily.