Case Study:
Ethiopia: Industrial Academy
Partners:
- Volvo
- United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
- Swedish International Development Association (SIDA)
- Salem (local) Vocational Training College
- Ministries of Education and Industry
Partnership Summary:
In collaboration with Volvo, SIDA and UNIDO established a training academy for technicians of heavy duty machinery and commercial vehicles.
The project aims to improve employment prospects for Ethiopian youth in advanced commercial vehicle maintenance through high-tech training, thereby contributing to the poverty reduction effort in the country. There is currently a severe skills shortage in this area.
Volvo provides funding and technical expertise in the form of training, equipment and offering apprenticeships to graduates of the academy.
UNIDO is responsible for the overall project management and implementation.
Points to note:
- The number of individuals trained is relatively small (25-30 students/year) but the wider impact is high
- By partnering with Volvo, UNIDO is able to harness the firm’s advanced knowledge and technology to improve the quality of vocational training in the sector which has historically been poor
- Partnering with the local training college strengthens linkages between the education sector and industry, and Volvo’s assistance in formulating the curriculum ensures that graduates will have up to date, in-demand and relevant skills
- Volvo is in turn able to access a pool of well qualified graduates in a region where technically skilled workers are scarce, and this shortage has severely hampered social and economic development