It has been confirmed that student enrollment in Ethiopia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has decreased by more than 50% over the past three years.
This significant decline has sparked concerns, as it comes at a critical time when the country is striving to empower its youth workforce with industrial skills. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Country Study Report confirmed that TVET enrollment, which stood at 478,910 in 2020/21, dropped to 213,663 in 2023/24.
Experts attribute this sharp decline to a “structural shift” in education policy—specifically the transition to recruiting trainees from Grade 12 instead of Grade 10—combined with a persistent societal stigma that views vocational training as a “second-rate” option.
The report indicates that the sector is at a “critical crossroads.” Unless it is modernized rapidly, the prospects for millions of young people entering the labor market could be dimmed.
It was noted that this report, which is part of the YES-PACT initiative in Ethiopia and was officially launched on February 12, 2026, was prepared through the collaboration of ACET and the Policy Studies Institute (PSI).
Adamnesh A. Bogale, Head of the Gender Equality Program at ACET, presented the report’s key findings, stating that the decline is a result of systemic transitions within education policy.
Previously, TVET institutions accepted students who completed Grade 10; however, the new requirement mandates Grade 12 completion. While this move aims to improve the foundational knowledge and quality of trainees, it has created a temporary gap in vocational colleges.
Furthermore, the deep-seated social perception of TVET as a destination only for those who fail to enter university persists. Another pressing concern is the mismatch between classroom instruction and the practical demands of modern employers.
Adamnesh emphasized that this is not merely an educational issue but a question of national economic competitiveness, urging that the sector be placed at the center of the national prosperity strategy.
Over the years, the government has introduced several reforms and frameworks, including Competency-Based Training (CBT), the National TVET Strategy, the National Qualifications Framework, the 70/30 training approach, apprenticeship programs, and the Certificate of Competence (CoC) system.
However, despite these efforts, it is acknowledged that numerous challenges still hinder the full implementation of competency-based or outcome-based training in Ethiopia.
Amare Matebu, Lead Researcher and Head of IUPRC at PSI, stated that the national economy can only be grown by establishing a system based on market demand. He urged that research must move beyond being mere paper-based documents and be translated into action to bring about real change.
The study, which involved various stakeholders, identified five fundamental obstacles facing the sector.
These obstacles include a shortage of trainers with up-to-date industrial experience, outdated training infrastructure that lags decades behind, inconsistent private sector engagement, a lack of financing for high-investment requirements, and the exclusion of digital skills—such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)—from the curriculum.
As Ethiopia sets its sights on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the report calls for a radical modernization of the TVET curriculum. While basic digital literacy exists, advanced fields such as AI, robotics, and green energy technologies are largely absent. Agro-processing, manufacturing, construction, and technology-enabled services have been identified as critical sectors for future growth.
The strategy includes recommendations to involve the private sector in curriculum design, integrate digital and green skills, increase women’s participation, improve trainers’ salaries and career development, and encourage colleges to generate their own revenue.
Specifically, the fields of construction, agro-processing, manufacturing, and tech-supported business sectors have been identified as vital for Ethiopia’s transformation.
It was agreed that the government should act as a facilitator while the private sector takes on a role in co-shaping the workforce. Adamnesh described the report as a “strategic mirror” for change, emphasizing that the present moment is a critical time to reshape the TVET sector.
