Consortium led by Omnia Education Partnerships launches a training programme to strengthen vocational teachers’ digital skills in Ethiopia

Finn Church Aid together with Omnia Education Partnerships and Tampere University of Applied Sciences is launching a training programme to strengthen vocational teachers’ digital pedagogical skills and support Ethiopia’s digital transition.

The aim is to develop the competences and teaching practices that enable vocational education and training to respond more effectively to the changing skills needs of the digital economy.

The consortium comprising Omnia Education Partnerships (OEP), Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) and Finn Church Aid (FCA) has been selected through a competitive procurement process by the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) to deliver a comprehensive programme to develop vocational teachers’ digital competences in Ethiopia. The programme forms part of Digital Ethiopia: Skills and TVET Action (DESTA).

DESTA aims to support Ethiopia’s digital transition by strengthening the quality and impact of its vocational education and training system. Developing a skilled workforce is also essential to advancing digitalisation in Africa: education must respond to the changing skills needs of the digital economy and support digital entrepreneurship. The Finnish National Agency for Education is Germany’s partner in implementing DESTA.

Finland is responsible for strengthening vocational teachers’ digital competences. Germany is responsible for developing infrastructure, students’ skills and cooperation with the world of work and industry. The programme’s total funding is approximately EUR 40 million, of which Finland’s share is EUR 5.8 million. The value of the OEP–TAMK–FCA consortium’s project, including potential option, is EUR 2.2 million.

Digital, learner-centred and inclusive vocational education and training

The consortium will design and deliver a blended learning training programme for vocational teachers. The programme aims to strengthen teachers’ ability to use digital solutions effectively in their own teaching and develop high-quality digital learning environments and practices. Key themes include learner-centred pedagogy, the use of digital tools and the Moodle learning environment, and gender-responsive and accessible teaching practices that support learner participation. The aim is to establish a common foundation and strengthen practical skills while developing training institutes’ digital teaching practices.

The consortium will also design and publish a self-paced online course for a wider group of teachers. Digital learning workshops for local education experts will further strengthen competences.

Combining Finnish and local expertise

The project combines Finnish expertise in education and digital pedagogy with Ethiopian expertise and experience. Local expertise plays a central role in ensuring that the training and the solutions developed meet the needs of Ethiopia’s vocational education and training system, institutions and teachers. The project will be implemented in close cooperation with EDUFI’s DESTA team and Ethiopian stakeholders.

OEP leads the expert team and the project. OEP is an education export company owned by Omnia, the Joint Authority of Education in the Espoo Region, Finn Church Aid, Finnish Entrepreneurial Institute and Savo Koulutus Oy. Its core activities include the international development of vocational education and training, continuing professional development for teachers and education experts, and consultancy on the development of education systems and organisations.

DESTA at a glance

Digital Ethiopia: Skills and TVET Action (DESTA) is a programme worth approximately EUR 40 million that supports Ethiopia’s digital transition by strengthening vocational education and training and the skills required by the digital economy. The programme is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

DESTA develops vocational education and training infrastructure, strengthens teachers’ and students’ digital skills and capabilities, and improves cooperation between education and the world of work.

Finland is responsible for strengthening vocational teachers’ digital pedagogical skills. The Finnish partner is the Finnish National Agency for Education, which selected the OEP–TAMK–FCA consortium through a competitive procurement process to design and deliver the digital training programme for vocational teachers.

Further information:

OEP: Heidi Lempinen – heidi.lempinen@oep.fi
TAMK: Nina Kärki – nina.karki@tuni.fi
FCA: Melkamu Birhan – melkamu.birhan@kirkonulkomaanapu.fi