Empowering the Next Generation
On July 4th, 2025, a proud group of 65 young people graduated from the Advanced Digital Skills Training, a dynamic initiative designed to equip young Ethiopians with practical, globally relevant digital skills. Facilitated by Learnio Academy, the project aimed to close the gap between local talent and global digital market opportunities.
This training offered hands-on training in two high-demand fields; Digital Marketing (37 graduates) and Graphic Design (28 graduates), while also preparing participants for freelancing and self-employment. With a growing global demand for remote digital work, the initiative arrived at a critical time, offering young people an accessible pathway to economic empowerment. A total of 222 youth registered, and 101 passed the pre-training assessment, out of which 75 remained active, with 65 successfully completing the program and earning certification.
The project took a holistic, phased approach to learning:
- 2 months of preparatory activities ensured participants were ready to absorb technical content.
- 3 months of intensive training delivered core digital skills.
- 1 month focused on freelancing skills, helping participants navigate global platforms.
- 4 months of online mentoring offered continued guidance, portfolio support, and confidence-building.
Graduates hailed from across the four program locations — Bahirdar (17), Harrar (17), Jimma (7), and Hawassa (23) — and were celebrated in a heartfelt graduation ceremony attended by the students themselves, their parents, mentors, facilitators, regional, national and local program staff, as well as representatives from different government offices.
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Reflections from the graduates also emphasized that many of them joined the program with no prior experience in digital marketing and graphic design, yet through this opportunity, they are now confidently using tools like Adobe, Canva, and other design software. Two graduates from Harar and Bahir Dar shared that the combination of technical training and hands-on experience has equipped them with a competitive skill set for the job market. They have already begun securing clients, landed jobs, and started building professional portfolios to showcase their work and expand their reach.
This sense of transformation was echoed by officials and community leaders who attended the graduation ceremonies including representatives from Haramaya University, the Office of Social Affairs in Tana Sub-City, and the Sidama Regional Office of Skill, Labor, and Enterprise Development, along with a community representative. They congratulated the graduates and highlighted the critical role of digital skills and practical training in preparing youth for the modern workforce, expressing pride in the achievements and stressing the importance of continuing such empowering opportunities for young people.
Together, these voices, from graduates and leaders alike, affirmed the program’s potential to unlock meaningful employment opportunities and create a ripple effect of empowerment and economic inclusion in communities across Ethiopia.
With the successful completion of Phase 1, Phase 2 of the project is set to launch shortly, expanding its reach to include even more young people from across the country. By continuing to invest in digital upskilling, SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia is actively shaping a future where Ethiopian youth can thrive in an increasingly digital world — both at home and on the global stage.
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