By Science Africa Team
The purpose of the research project was to investigate the impact of soft skills and job centre services in improving the employability and job creation of jobs for young women in high-value sectors in Ethiopia. It was conducted in three sites, the Federal Capital Addis Ababa and two major regional towns Hawassa and Jimma.
The study was conducted by Network of Ethiopian Women’s Association (NEWA) in partnership with the Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission Abamele Consulting.
According to the study, majority of the female graduates, (72 per cent) were willing to work in any sector without any specific preference. The other preferred sectors were government offices and non-governmental organisations.
The study used randomised experimental design. The researchers set up a treatment and control group. The treatment group received soft skill training and job information while the other only received soft skills and then the control group.
Results from the mid-term review showed that those in the treatment group that received soft skill training and benefited from the job information centre were motivated to apply for jobs compared to the control group. Also, those in the treatment were more likely to be engaged in economic activities than the others.
The study found that the female graduates had a relatively higher level of skills in communication and emotional intelligence and also demonstrated high measures of job readiness and self-esteem.
However, it was noted that these skills varied significantly across the study centres. The measure of communication skills, self-esteem and job readiness increased significantly with the level of urbanisation and the original place of residence.
The female graduates also indicated willingness to take low salaries even below the government minimum threshold, a fact that indicates stiff competition in the job market or low self-esteem. The study noted that effective job centres require adequate resources and efficient and reliable communication services.
Based on the research findings, the research team is partnering with the Ministries of Labour and Skills, Women and Social Affairs and Education to introduce programmes that equip women graduates with soft skills to prepare them for gainful employment.
So far, the researchers have reviewed the national employment policy, prepared a policy brief and published newspaper articles.
Project title: Enhancing Employment Prospect of Young Graduate Women into High Value Sectors Ethiopia.
Partners: NEWA and Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission Abamele Consulting
