External Collaborator contract -For the assessment of the apprenticeship and other work-based learning system in Ethiopia and formulation of recommend At International Labour Organization

Background

The government of Ethiopia is embarking on a comprehensive TVET sector transformation to ensure training delivered can equip graduates and jobseekers with market relevant competencies. The draft ETH TVET policy section 2.2.7 is widely implemented through an industry/practical training modality, for trainees prior to graduation, to experience the world of work. This policy instrument has had limited uptake, partly due to limited investment to incentivize institutions on the one hand, and the inadequate private sector engagement on the other to be part of the skills development ecosystem in the country. The Ministry of Labour and Skills also introduced the apprenticeships directive in 2024 with the intention of developing a skilled labour force, enhancing the school-to-work transition, and providing young men and women with the necessary skill sets.

A review of the TVET policy and strategy on apprenticeship is therefore underway, which has been informed by the new ILO Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023 No.208. A Ministerial session was held on 25 February 2024 for endorsement of the amended policy to guide the development and implementation of apprenticeships across the country with the active engagement of TVET Colleges, Universities and specialized professional bodies.

The ProAgro Project has implemented pilot on-the-job training initiatives in the agro-processing sector with Ethiopian Poultry producers and Processors Association (EPPPA) and allied bodies and selected private poultry farms/companies. A total of 200 university graduates in animal health science have been supported by the scheme, and 45% of them gained direct wage employment in companies where they undertook the practical training, 25% opted to start their own agribusinesses and social enterprises (poultry farming; feed production; Gren initiatives, market facilitators, etc). The PROSPECTS programme is implementing work-based training with the Ethiopian Employers Federations who have linked 300 trainees from Government TVET industry training in welding and IT fields. Other institutions supporting Government apprenticeship programs include the World bank, GIZ, and tailored initiatives by non-governmental organizations in social and environmental fields. The main challenge is that these separate initiatives are not based on clear institutional guidelines; and are not implemented in line with ILO R208 recommendations and neither in conformity to Ethiopia’s TVET policy and strategy on apprenticeships; private sector not consulted on training content development; they are often not based on sufficient analysis of skills needs at sector level – which impacts the capacity of trainees to make informed choices, and of training providers to provide market relevant training packages.

The Government of Ethiopia has requested to be exposed to international good practices, and lessons learnt on Quality Apprenticeships to feed into its current review of the TVET policy instrument on apprenticeships. The IT Park, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopian Employer Federation (EEF) and Refugee and Returnees Affairs service are currently implementing a quality apprenticeship for forcibly displaced people and host communities. Quality apprenticeships are an opportunity: the future of work y will depend on building an agile workforce capable of transitioning smoothly to newly created tasks and jobs through appropriate and timely skilling, reskilling, and upskilling. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, apprenticeships are an indispensable component of any strategy designed to address the future world of work challenges. However, apprenticeships need to be modernized and transformed in order to respond to the above-mentioned paradigm shift. To realise this, five Ethiopian delegations[1] attended the Global Skills Fair to explore opportunities for implementing a quality apprenticeship programme in Ethiopia.

As a follow up to the February 2024 Skills Fair in Turin and in order to raise awareness on R208, in partnership with Ministry of Labour and Skills (MOLS), a two-day workshop was held on 7 and 8 November 2024 for representatives from the government, social partners, and development partners working on Skills, and all forms of Work-based learning. The workshop aimed to share experiences and knowledge on apprenticeship programs and policies, raise awareness about R208, and facilitate discussions to identify key challenges and priorities for future action.

Objectives

As a follow-up to this workshop, it is proposed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current work based learning systems, comparing it to the elements of R208. This analysis will serve as a foundation for designing a roadmap to implement R208 in Ethiopia, which may include establishing pilot apprenticeship programs in selected sectors.

Scope of the analysis

Tasks

• Map out and Conduct desk review and diagnosis of work-based learning initiatives with a focus on apprenticeships, and benchmark them against the Checklist for Recommendation 208 to assess alignment, and gaps that need to be strengthened to align to national policy / legislation and R208. This will require key informant interviews.
• Conduct 3 missions (Hawassa in Sidama region, Jijiga in Somali region and Bahir Dar in Amhara region) to better inform the diagnosis.
• Prepare and submit a report (at least 10 pages) summarizing the mapping, desk review, diagnosis and recommend policy adjustments and make concrete suggestions on how alignment can be done to ensure quality apprenticeship programmes are adapted, designed and implemented in Ethiopia.

Deliverables

1. An inception report detailing how the assignment will be executed along with methodology, desk review documentation proposed, key informant interviews proposed, tools to use and timelines.
2. A draft report with all details as outlined in tasks above. This report will be presented by the consultant at a validation meeting organized by the ILO.
3. A Power Point presentation for the validation workshop
4. A final report incorporating feedback from the validation and capturing all expectations under tasks above.

Supervision

The consultant will perform his/her assignment under the supervision of ILO national officer and will create linkage with team and consultant.

Payment schedule

• 30% upon submission of inception report
• 50% upon submission of drat report for validation
• 20% upon submission of final report incorporating inputs from ILO and from the validation meeting

Duration

It is estimated that this work will last not more than 6 weeks workdays and will be completed by 14th February 2024.

Qualification for the individual consultant

The individual consultant needs to have a minimum of an advanced university degree in education, social science, economics, TVET and related fields. The consultant should have extensive experience in TVET and should demonstrate his/her competency.

Evaluation criteria

The submitted proposal from the prospective consultants will be evaluated as per criteria set below.

Evaluation Criteria/profile of a consultant

Maximum score

1. Qualification of the individual consultant

The individual consultant needs to have a minimum of advanced university degree in relevant field as described in the ToR above

5

Understanding of labour market dynamics of labour migration preferably of the target origin country and select locality or region.

10

Proven experience in carrying similar assignments before for (at least 5 years) verified by specific description in his/her profile and sampled work annexed. Focus will be on relevance, reporting skills and quality of past work and nature of clients and topics covered.

25

Maximum Points for A

40

1. Proposed approach to deliver the objectives of the ToR’s

Applicant demonstrates (via submitted technical proposal) their clarity on understanding the objectives and scope of the assignment through detailed descriptions of the assignment its objectives and relevance to the intended use

30

Applicants demonstrate (through the submitted technical proposal) a methodological approach fit to meet the intended objectives as the ToR. Data collection methods and tools, consultative processes and approach, sources of data, sampling, and analytical framework.

30

Maximum point for B

60

Total (A+B)

100

Maximum threshold for technical proposal to be considered for financial evaluation

70