Abraha Asfaw

Is linking technical and vocational training with industry a bridge to employability? Lessons from a literature review for Ethiopia

By Amarech Kebede

Skill demand and supply mismatch is a global problem identified as a root cause of unemployment, urging education and training institutions to revise their curriculum with the collaboration of industries. This article aimed to analyze prior research outputs on the effective Linkage of technical and vocational training institutions with industries and extract lessons for Ethiopia. The study covered 30 purposefully selected articles and analyzed thematically to identify lessons and implications that fit Ethiopia. The findings highlighted Linkage as a platform for sharing powers and responsibilities between education and training institutions and serve as a workplace transition. Linkage can be through qualification standard setting, curriculum development, internship, and apparent ship programs. The industry serves as a laboratory that allows trainees to analyze, synthesize, and reflect on the technological needs and challenges of industries, enables them to solve problems of industries, creates employment opportunities, allows industries to select competent workers, helps to share training costs and exchange expertise, builds the image of technical and vocational training. The findings further identified the challenges of Linkage and its coping strategies. Finally, the review concluded that Linkage is necessary rather than the choice to minimize skill mismatches, reduce unemployment, and increase productivity, especially in countries like Ethiopia that run short of training resources. However, further research is needed to monitor the situation continuously and determine appropriate policy changes for skill development interventions. Technical and Vocational Education and Training is the best human resource development strategy that plays a crucial role in enhancing the competency and employability of individuals through updating and upgrading their skills, knowledge, and attitude. Fostering collaboration between TVET institutions and industries through internships and apprenticeships enables learners to gain practical experience, make valuable connections between theory and practice, and ensure graduates are adequately prepared for the workforce. However, ensuring a successful and sustainable partnership between educational institutions and industries is facing various challenges, including changing industrial demands and technological advancements, misalignment of curriculum and industry needs, limited resources and infrastructure, weak quality assurance and accreditation systems, and a lack of awareness and understanding among educational institutions and industries about the benefits of the linkage. They are addressing these challenges and ensuring employability, which requires collaboration between academic institutions, industries, and government agencies.