Ethiopia is advancing the national rollout of its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system, with 35 assessors completing a four-day training in Bishoftu under the ILO Global Skills Programme, supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. The training aimed to build assessor capacity to recognise the skills of competent but unqualified workers, paving the way for pilot RPL assessments in selected priority occupations and expanding pathways to decent work and economic opportunity.
The workshop brought together practitioners from the Ministry of Labour and Skills (MoLS) and regional assessment and certification bodies, central to operationalising Ethiopia’s RPL Framework and Policy. The training aligns with the country’s TVT policy and strategy, which recognises skills acquired through work experience, community learning, or self-learning as a credible pathway for certification. By validating these skills, Ethiopia aims to enhance employability, strengthen labour mobility, and reduce skills mismatches across sectors.
During the four-day programme, participants explored the structure and requirements of a quality RPL process, including evidence gathering, portfolio development, assessment tools, decision-making, quality assurance mechanisms, and certification procedures. The training also clarified the roles of employers, applicants, assessors, government, and regulatory bodies in ensuring a fair, credible recognition system. Practical exercises allowed participants to apply national RPL procedures to real assessment scenarios, ensuring standardized and transparent assessments.
The initiative addresses persistent challenges faced by unrecognised skilled workers, including unemployment, lower wages, and reduced confidence. Participants highlighted the transformative potential of RPL for workers who have gained expertise outside formal education systems. Assessors noted that recognising these skills not only increases employment opportunities but also boosts workers’ confidence and economic participation, contributing to poverty reduction.
The Bishoftu training marks a key milestone in Ethiopia’s journey toward a sustainable, nationwide RPL system. By investing in assessor capacity and piloting assessments in strategic occupations, Ethiopia is laying the foundation for an inclusive, market-driven skills ecosystem. The workshop is part of ongoing collaboration between the ILO, MoLS, and regional partners to support the next steps of the RPL rollout.
The ILO’s Global Skills Programme promotes inclusive, demand-driven skills systems, lifelong learning, and equitable access to quality skills development. Funded by Norway’s NoRAD, the programme supports countries in adapting to evolving labour markets, enhancing employability, and fostering productivity in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
