‘Creating prospects for people’

Mr Erbert, teaching technical and vocational skills to refugees and Ethiopians together is a new approach. What conditions needed to be created to make this possible?
Amending Ethiopia’s legislation on refugees was an important requirement. The country’s open-door policy makes it a pioneer in its approach to hosting refugees. In 2019, new laws were passed that give refugees better access to education and the labour market. That added momentum to our project. And we have shown what can be achieved in practical terms, namely providing joint TVET courses for Ethiopians and refugees. That was only possible because GIZ enjoys a strong relationship with its partners in Ethiopia which is based on mutual trust and allowed us to implement an innovative approach that was ahead of its time.

Mr Erbert, teaching technical and vocational skills to refugees and Ethiopians together is a new approach. What conditions needed to be created to make this possible?

Amending Ethiopia’s legislation on refugees was an important requirement. The country’s open-door policy makes it a pioneer in its approach to hosting refugees. In 2019, new laws were passed that give refugees better access to education and the labour market. That added momentum to our project. And we have shown what can be achieved in practical terms, namely providing joint TVET courses for Ethiopians and refugees. That was only possible because GIZ enjoys a strong relationship with its partners in Ethiopia which is based on mutual trust and allowed us to implement an innovative approach that was ahead of its time.

What has been achieved so far?
Refugees have been enrolled at state TVET colleges in Ethiopia for the first time. That really is a milestone. Within a relatively short space of time, the project has helped integrate refugees into Ethiopian society through TVET by creating direct routes into the labour market – for refugees and Ethiopians alike. We are continuing to develop this approach. Our project has reached 1,200 people so far, with this number set to rise to 6,500 by mid-2023. We want to build capacity in TVET colleges throughout the country, thereby providing more opportunities for integrated training.

Why is this approach so important?
We are making a specific contribution towards implementing the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework. One of the points underpinning this framework is that refugees and their host communities should receive joint support. That is just what our approach aims to do by linking TVET courses for refugees and Ethiopians with job opportunities. And this is why it is attracting interest from other actors in the field of international cooperation, such as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank. Our experience and expertise are in demand. And we are obviously very pleased that our integrated training approach is seen as trailblazing.

Why are Ethiopian companies interested in taking part in QEP?
Our work is based on trust and exchange. We have set up networks with our Ethiopian partners and advised TVET colleges on how to approach companies. They were involved right from the start, for example in developing the teaching material. And they have a say in how training is carried out. That’s something new in the Ethiopian TVET system, which in reality is often still very much based on a school-like model. Companies can now exert more influence on how young people are trained. That is important, because there is demand for experts with the right training in Ethiopia.

What have you personally found particularly inspiring so far?
The willingness on the part of institutions such as Nefas Silk Polytechnic College to accept people from very different backgrounds. The college has integrated refugees into its courses despite all the challenges of its own that it faces. The same is true of the companies involved. They weren’t interested in where people come from, but in their skills and motivation. I’m impressed with this openness. And how people can really make progress if their talent is recognised and they are given the opportunity to put their skills to use. I’m also very pleased to see relationships grow. When Ethiopians help refugees in everyday life, for example by providing support with administrative formalities. In addition, the project has shown that training together means much more than simply acquiring expertise. The students share ideas and communicate with each other outside the classroom or workshop. We have helped break down the barriers between separate social spheres to some extent – and create prospects for people to make a new home and build a future.

akzente December 2020