Ethiopia trains certification officials on Recognition of Prior Learning across 14 regions; International Labour Organization's Global Skills Programme supports shift toward inclusive certification

Adama, Ethiopia (ILO News) - With support from the ILO’s Global Skills Programme and the Ministry of Labor and Skills, CoC officials from all 14 regional states of Ethiopia have completed a national capacity building training on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Equipped with tools, action plans, and a shared vision, they are now set to lead a shift toward more inclusive, skills-based certification across the country.

In a significant step toward more equitable and practical certification, over 40 Certification of Competency (CoC) officials from across Ethiopia completed a three-day capacity building training on RPL, supported by the ILO’s Global Skills Programme. The initiative, delivered in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Labor and Skills, aimed to equip CoC officials with the knowledge, tools, and mindset to formally recognize skills gained outside traditional education — whether through informal work, community experience, or self-learning.

“At first, our understanding of RPL was limited,” said Tesfaye Yeshiwas, Director General of the Amhara CoC Agency. “But with support from the ILO, we visited Tanzania and learned how other countries are recognizing skills acquired informally. We returned inspired and began raising awareness across our region. This training deepened that knowledge and gave us the tools to take real action.”

In Ethiopia, as in many countries, millions acquire valuable competencies through non-formal or informal channels but face significant barriers when seeking formal recognition. By empowering CoC officials — the gatekeepers of vocational certification — this training marks a key step toward bridging that gap. Participants explored international RPL best practices, engaged in peer learning, and conducted practical exercises to simulate real-world skills assessment scenarios. The training emphasized equity, transparency, and flexibility in certification processes.

“We began certifying people based on practical experience — particularly in the hospitality sector — but there was inconsistency in how RPL was being applied,” said Tewodros Gebiba, Director of the Sidama Regional State CoC Agency. “This training helped us reach a shared understanding. As we go back, we’ll focus on building awareness among leaders and assessors to accelerate implementation.”

Throughout the course, participants shared both the challenges and opportunities ahead for scaling RPL across the country. They emphasized the need for clearer national guidelines and frameworks to ensure consistent implementation, greater investment in assessor training to uphold quality and fairness, and more public awareness around the value of recognizing real-world skills. Many also recommended piloting RPL in sectors with large informal workforces such as construction, agriculture, and hospitality — where the need and impact would be greatest.

The final session featured the presentation of regional action plans, developed by CoC officials from all 14 regional states. These plans — supported by RPL implementation guideline — mark the beginning of localized efforts grounded in shared strategy, ownership, and accountability.

As Ethiopia’s Ministry of Labor and Skills emphasized during the closing session:
“Regional leadership must take ownership of RPL. Without strong, committed leadership at the state level, implementation will not succeed. This is your mandate — and your opportunity to lead change.”

The ILO remains committed to supporting Ethiopia’s journey toward an inclusive and responsive skills recognition system — one that reflects the lived realities of workers and promotes access to decent work.

“This training has opened our eyes,” Tesfaye Yeshiwas concluded. “Now it’s our turn to open doors for others.”

“We recently conducted an RPL assessment at the Prime Minister’s Chaka Project site in Finfinnee (Addis Ababa), focused on Indigenous Soil and Water Conservation (locally knows us Konso Landscaping), where 188 male candidates were assessed — all of whom were deemed competent,” said the Director of the Oromia Certification of Competency Agency, Yonas Worku.

“Thanks to the three-day training provided by the ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Skills, we now have a clearer understanding of what RPL truly means — including how to identify valid evidence, distinguish RPL from short-term training, and issue appropriate certification. This clarity is essential for scaling up quality implementation in our region.” 

Reflecting on the broader significance, the ILO Global Skills Programme National Project Coordinator for Ethiopia, Alemayehu Zewdie remarked:

“Recognition of Prior Learning is more than a technical process — it’s about justice in the labor market. By valuing skills gained outside formal systems, we unlock opportunities for individuals and strengthen national skills systems from the ground up. More specifically RPL is for unqualified but competent people.”

About ILO’s Global Skills Programme: 

ILO’s Global Skills Programme supports countries in building inclusive, demand-driven skills systems. It promotes lifelong learning to help individuals adapt to evolving labor markets. The programme emphasizes social dialogue, equitable access, and quality assurance in skills development. It aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to enhance employability and productivity worldwide. The Global Skills Programme is funded by Norway, NoRAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation).