Ethiopian Aviation University (EAU), through its Consultancy and Community Service has joined a consortium to implement a project aimed at contributing to national development efforts. The project, entitled Sustainable Employment through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) Program, is a five-year initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation. It aims to create one million dignified and fulfilling employment opportunities for young people, particularly women, through entrepreneurship, skills development, and institutional transformation.
Led by Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), a quasi-government organization, the program is implemented by a consortium comprising EDI itself, Ethiopian Aviation University (EAU), through its Consultancy and Community Services Department, Hope Enterprises, the American College of Technology (ACT), and Orbit Innovation Hub PLC.
As the lead institution for the Institutional Transformation Pillar, Ethiopian Aviation University(EAU) has played a pivotal role in supporting the transformation of 100 Technical and Vocational Training (TVT) institutions through six key interventions: Leadership Development Training (LDT), establishment of Leadership Development and Certification Centres (LDCCs), Quality Management Systems (QMS), digitalization, institutionalization of incentive mechanisms, and institutional rebranding and promotion.
A major achievement of this initiative is the successful delivery of tailored leadership development training to 1,022 TVT institutional leaders,achieving the five-year training target ahead of schedule. The training covered institutional leadership, QMS, digital transformation, change management, project and operations management, human capital management, safeguarding, and institutional rebranding and promotion. Visits to Ethiopian Airlines facilities complemented the training by immersing participants to practical workplace disciplines and operational excellence. Follow-up monitoring indicates positive changes in institutional management practices and professional culture.
To institutionalize these achievements and ensure their sustainability, EAU has supported the establishment of four Leadership Development and Certification Centres at the Federal TVT Institute, Holeta Polytechnic College, Dire Dawa Polytechnic College, and W/ro Siheen Polytechnic College in Dessie. Equipped with endorsed governance documents and curricula, the centres serve as platforms for continuous professional development, practical experience sharing, and virtual learning. Further efforts are underway to align them with government structures and secure their long-term sustainability.
The initiative has strengthened TVT leaders' capacities in strategic leadership, innovation, inclusive governance, and change management, enabling them to improve institutional performance and enhance graduate employability. It has also received positive feedback from trainees and regional education bureaus and other stakeholders, who have commended its early achievements and eventual impact.
These achievements demonstrate EAU's and Ethiopian Airlines Group's commitment to national capacity development beyond the aviation sector. EAU extends its sincere appreciation to all partners, teams, and individuals whose dedication and collaboration have contributed to this success. Together, we are strengthening TVT leadership, advancing institutional excellence, and expanding employment opportunities for Ethiopia's youth.
