On International Youth Day 2026, the world is reflecting on a simple but powerful truth that young people may live in very different circumstances, but they share many of the same hopes for opportunity, dignity, meaningful participation, decent work, quality education and a sustainable future. For 21-year-old Dese in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, one of those aspirations is to build a decent career in the automotive industry.
After completing his Level IV qualification in Automotive and Vehicle Maintenance, Dese had the technical knowledge, determination, and ambition to begin his career. But like many young graduates, he discovered that having a qualification alone does not always mean having a pathway into employment. Dese needed an opportunity to gain practical experience, build confidence, and demonstrate his skills in a professional environment.
For many young people in Ethiopia, this transition from education to employment can be challenging. While formal education and vocational training provide an important foundation, entering the labor market often requires practical experience and an understanding of the workplace that cannot always be gained through formal education alone. Young people also need professional networks, employability skills, confidence, and opportunities to connect with potential employers. Ethiopia has one of the largest youth populations in Africa, with more than 70% of its population under the age of 30. This youthful population represents enormous potential for the country’s future. Realizing that potential, however, requires creating pathways that enable young people to turn their knowledge and skills into meaningful opportunities.
For graduates of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), the gap between training and employment can be particularly significant. While young people may leave training institutions with technical knowledge, many have had limited opportunities to experience a real workplace, build professional relationships, or demonstrate their abilities to potential employers. Dese is among many who experienced this challenge firsthand.
Where skills turned into experience
After completing his automotive training, Dese was eager to put his skills into practice and begin building his career. An opportunity to bridge the gap between training and employment came through the Green Growth: Empowering Youth for a Green Future Project, implemented by SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia with support from SOS Children’s Villages in Canada and the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
The project recognizes that preparing young people for employment requires more than technical training. Alongside vocational skills, young people need life and employability skills, mentorship, and opportunities to experience real workplace environments. Through the project, Dese completed life and employability skills training before being selected for a three-month internship at Belayab Motors PLC, one of the project’s private-sector partners. For Dese, the internship provided an opportunity to learn by doing. Working alongside experienced technicians, he applied his knowledge to real vehicle maintenance and repair while becoming familiar with the demands of a professional workplace. He learned not only about automotive systems and tools, but also about teamwork, communication, discipline, responsibility, customer service, and adapting to different workplace situations. Reflecting on the experience, Dese says:
"The internship at Belayab Motors gave me the hands-on experience I had always wanted. The workshop is well equipped, and I had the chance to work with modern tools and experienced professionals who patiently guided me throughout the internship. I improved not only my skills but also my confidence, communication, and teamwork. This experience has prepared me for employment and motivated me to continue developing my career in the automotive industry."
The experience has also helped Dese build relationships with customers who value his dedication and quality of work, while giving him an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities to the team at Belayab Motors. These connections could create pathways to future employment. For him, the value of the internship extends beyond practical and hands-on experience. It has given him greater confidence in what he can do and a clearer understanding of what it takes to build a career.
A holistic response to young people’s diverse needs
Dese’s experience is one example of how practical opportunities can help young people make the transition from education to employment. But young people do not all follow the same path, and the support they need can differ depending on their circumstances and aspirations. Across its youth empowerment portfolio, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia works alongside young people to strengthen pathways towards employment, entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and independent adulthood.
Initiatives such as Green Growth and Sustainable Training for Employment Promotion (STEP) help young people develop market-relevant skills and explore pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. Through GoTeach, young people benefit from mentoring, career guidance, workplace exposure, and connections with professionals.
As digital skills become increasingly important in the labor market, initiatives such as Learnio support young Ethiopians to develop practical digital skills, including digital marketing and graphic design, while ICT4D works to expand access to technology, internet connectivity, and digital skills. Rise and Help creates opportunities for young people to contribute to their communities through volunteer action. For young people transitioning out of alternative care, Leave No Youth Behind provides additional support as they navigate the journey towards independence.
Young people may need technical and vocational skills, mentorship, entrepreneurship support, digital skills, access to technology, professional networks, or opportunities to gain practical experience. What connects these different forms of support is the opportunity they create for young people to take their skills and turn them into action. To date, these efforts have reached more than 18,000 young people, supporting them to develop skills, access opportunities, and strengthen their ability to shape their own futures.
A call to action
Dese’s experience reminds us that young people need more than skills to build their futures; they need opportunities to put those skills into practice. As we mark International Youth Day 2026, this should serve as a call to action.
Governments, employers, training institutions, development partners, and civil society must work together to create pathways to decent work, practical experience, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. When we invest in opportunities for young people to learn, contribute, and participate, we invest in stronger communities and a more sustainable future for all.