How young people are forging new futures through TVET Ethiopia 

At the Dorcas Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, young people are purposefully building their future in a training facility. In an environment where professional skill development is central, they are acquiring technical capabilities, strengthening their confidence, and opening up new perspectives. With youth unemployment remaining a significant challenge in Ethiopia, the centre plays a crucial role in equipping young people with the skills they need to succeed in the labour market. 

A programme where skills and dignity grow together

The TVET programme combines practical skills with personal development. Students can choose to specialise in metalwork, woodworking or garment production. They study theory in the classroom alongside hands-on training with industry-standard tools. Life skills sessions and introductory business training help students to understand how to work and how to shape their future with intention and resilience.

Each course lasts four to six months, with around 25 students per class. A one-month placement in a cooperative introduces them to the realities of modern workplaces and brings their learning to life.

Reaching those who need support the most 

Participants are aged between 15 and 32 and are selected in collaboration with Woreda-level government offices. This ensures that opportunities reach young migrants, school dropouts, individuals escaping unsafe situations, and young people without family support.

Many participants initially arrive feeling uncertain and hesitant due to challenging past experiences. However, as they refine their skills, receive structured guidance and build their competence, they undergo a significant transformation. They become more confident communicators, their self-belief grows, and they begin to take responsibility for their choices. This personal development is as important as the technical training itself.

Support that extends beyond the training  

Through Job and Business Services (JBS), students receive support in connecting with employers and exploring opportunities in small businesses. This personalised support enables most graduates to quickly secure dignified employment, with positive knock-on effects for their families and communities. Families gain stability, younger siblings stay in education, and communities see capable, hopeful young people fulfilling their potential.

Stories of courage and change   

A young girl from the north of the country came to Addis Ababa to escape an arranged marriage arranged by her family. She was only 16 years old at the time. Travelling alone, she quickly found that life in the city was uncertain. Everything changed when she enrolled on a garment training course at the Dorcas TVET centre.

She now works as a supervisor at WARIT Furniture and continues her education through an evening programme. In her own words:

‘I survived those difficult days, now I am working to realise my dreams.’

Strengthening communities through skilled youth 

When young people gain confidence, skills and employment, communities change with them. The TVET programme not only lifts individuals, it strengthens families, inspires peers and reduces the social pressures associated with youth unemployment. A generation once considered marginalised becomes a generation of contributors, innovators and role models. 

Looking ahead: building a centre of excellence 

The TVET centre continues to grow. Its development into a centre of excellence in furniture making includes a dedicated woodworking workshop and new machinery. Plans for the future include expanding into new fields where there is high demand for skilled workers:

• Electronics maintenance
• Hospitality and kitchen skills
• Entrepreneurship training

Dorcas also has a long-term vision to establish a self-sustaining business wing linked to the TVET centre, which would be a significant step towards becoming an independent training institute.

Where new paths begin

Across Ethiopia, many young people face uncertainty, exposure to risk and limited prospects for advancement. The Dorcas TVET Centre offers them a structured environment in which to develop market-relevant skills, receive professional guidance and access new growth opportunities. It offers a space where competence leads to dignity, where mentorship supports informed decision-making and where tangible opportunities provide a sense of direction and possibility in place of uncertainty.

25 February 2026