Ethiopia Launches First Agro-Processing Sector Skills Body with Media Backing

The agro-processing sector—one of the country’s priority growth areas—has long struggled with mismatches between the skills of graduates and the competencies needed by employers.

In an era of rapidly transforming global labor markets, many governments are pivoting toward sector-specific strategies to address persistent skill mismatches and ensure education and training systems are aligned with real-world industry demands. Ethiopia has taken a significant step in this direction through the establishment of its first Sector Skills Body (SSB) in the agro-processing sector, with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) ProAgro Ethiopia project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

This landmark initiative, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Skills (MoLS), aims to bridge the gap between training institutions and the private sector, ensuring that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is both relevant and responsive to labor market needs. The newly formed SSB is a tripartite platform, bringing together representatives from government, employers, and workers to align Ethiopia’s skills development policies with the realities of the workforce.

Aligning Skills with Market Needs

The agro-processing sector—one of the country’s priority growth areas—has long struggled with mismatches between the skills of graduates and the competencies needed by employers. By involving industry stakeholders directly in curriculum design and decision-making, the SSB is expected to revitalize the TVET system and promote practical, employment-oriented training. The SSB will conduct regular labor market assessments, advise on curriculum reforms, and oversee the quality and relevance of training programs.

According to MoLS officials, this model will not only enhance productivity and job creation but also serve as a template for expanding sector-specific bodies into other key industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and renewable energy.

Media Engagement to Bridge the Awareness Gap

Despite the importance of skills development, public discourse and media coverage of this issue in Ethiopia remain limited. To address this, a media engagement forum was held in Addis Ababa, bringing together journalists, media organizations, government officials, and development partners to discuss the role of the media in shaping a skilled workforce.

The forum featured a panel discussion with Fitihawok Yewond, journalist at the Editors' Guild of Ethiopia (EGE), and Etagegenhu Mekonnen, president of the Ethiopian Mass Media Professional Association (EMMPA). Both emphasized the vital role of media in influencing public perception, promoting educational opportunities, and supporting national development agendas.

They identified five key roles the media can play in supporting skills development, particularly in the agro-processing sector:

1. Raising Awareness and Advocacy: Media outlets can spotlight the growing demand for skilled labor, showcase impactful training initiatives, and push for policies and investments that strengthen the education-to-employment pipeline.

2. Bridging the Information Gap: Through targeted media campaigns in local languages, media can promote access to training opportunities, share labor market trends, and connect job seekers with industry needs—especially in rural and underserved communities.

3. Promoting Best Practices and Success Stories: Sharing the achievements of skilled workers, innovative training programs, and thriving employers can inspire youth and build public trust in TVET programs.

4. Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships: Media platforms can be used to foster dialogue between the private sector, government, and educational institutions, facilitating collaborative efforts to improve training quality and employment outcomes. Creating regular forums for media professionals and agri-business stakeholders to exchange knowledge is also essential.

5. Enhancing Digital and Lifelong Learning: In a digital age, the media is key to promoting lifelong learning through e-learning platforms, mobile apps, and accessible content via radio and television. Building the capacity of journalists to produce accurate, engaging content on skills development is crucial to this effort.

Strategic Campaign for Public Engagement

In conjunction with the SSB launch, the Ethiopian Employers Federation (EEF), with support from the ILO, has launched a two-month media campaign to raise awareness of the SSB’s work, its impact on skills development, and its role in national economic transformation. This campaign will leverage a mix of traditional and digital media channels to engage communities, employers, job seekers, and educators across the country.

Speaking at the launch event, government representatives praised the ILO’s strategic support and called for sustained collaboration to expand the reach and impact of the Sector Skills Body initiative. They emphasized that aligning skills training with real market demand is vital not only for job creation but also for the long-term competitiveness of Ethiopia’s economy.

A Model for the Future

The SSB’s establishment represents a pioneering effort to modernize Ethiopia’s workforce development system. By embedding employers at the heart of training and equipping young people with job-ready skills, the government hopes to drive inclusive growth and reduce youth unemployment. With the media playing an increasingly active role in this transformation, Ethiopia is laying the groundwork for a more responsive and dynamic labor market—one that benefits individuals, industries, and the nation as a whole.

As the agro-processing sector continues to grow, initiatives like the SSB and the accompanying media engagement will be crucial in ensuring that Ethiopia’s workforce is prepared not just for today’s opportunities, but for the challenges and possibilities of tomorrow.