Geneva Global Ethiopia is celebrating a major milestone: the launch of the first-ever vocational training program in the Kebribeyah town at Kebribeyah secondary school, Somali regional state Maker Space. This new initiative marks a turning point in our efforts to empower refugee and host community youths with practical, market-relevant skills that can immediately translate into employment or entrepreneurship. The initiative is funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through UNICEF Ethiopia.
This milestone was further elevated by a distinguished visit from Her Excellency State Minister Ayelech Eshete, whose presence symbolized national recognition of the innovative vocational opportunities Geneva Global Ethiopia is creating for young people in the Somali region.
Vocational Courses Designed for Market-Relevant Skills
The Maker Space currently delivers five hands-on vocational courses, each chosen based on local market demands and youth aspirations: Female beauty care and makeup artistry, auto-Mechanic and tuk-tuk maintenance, sewing and tailoring, plumbing, and electronics/mobile phone maintenance. These training areas reflect a deliberate strategy to bridge the gap between formal education and real-world livelihood opportunities. By offering skills that are both useful and employable within the local economy, the programs are positioning young learners to participate confidently in the workforce.
The Maker Space stands as a model for how youth-centered, skills-based education can enhance economic resilience. With government endorsement and regional alignment, the initiative is strengthening youth access to marketable skills, building confidence and motivation among students, increasing recognition of vocational training as a pathway equal to academic routes, and opening new opportunities for partnerships with regional institutions and private-sector actors.
For many students, this experience offers their first opportunity to engage with real tools, build tangible products, and envision career possibilities that once felt out of reach.
State Minister’s Visit Validates the Maker Space’s Impact
During her visit, the State Minister toured the workshop areas, observed practical sessions, and interacted directly with trainees and instructors. From young trainees repairing electrical circuits to tailoring students completing their first garments, the Maker Space showcased its role as a hub for innovation and applied learning.
Her Excellency expressed appreciation for Geneva Global’s forward-looking approach, noting how the Maker Space model transforms learning into an engaging, skill-based experience. She also highlighted the importance of vocational skills as essential tools for refugee and host community youth empowerment in the Somali region and beyond.
Alongside the Minister, regional education heads shared positive reflections on the Maker Space’s contribution to improving learning outcomes and employability. They emphasized that the curriculum reflects the realities of the local job market and fills an urgent skills gap for both urban and rural youth.
Looking Ahead
Building on the momentum from the Minister’s visit, Geneva Global Ethiopia will continue expanding the Maker Space’s course offerings, strengthening instructor capacity, and developing pathways that link graduates to employers, apprenticeships, or small-business support. The goal is to ensure that vocational learning becomes a sustainable pillar of youth development across the region.
The State Minister’s visit to the Kebribeyah, Somali regional state Maker Space is more than a ceremonial moment — it is an endorsement of a bold, practical, and inclusive approach to education. It underscores Geneva Global Ethiopia’s commitment to opening new doors for young people and demonstrates the transformative impact that skills training can have on communities. With this momentum, Geneva Global Ethiopia is ready to continue building pathways that allow young people across Ethiopia to thrive.
The PROSPECTS Multi- Agency Country Program 2025-2027 is funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and UNICEF Ethiopia.