December 2021

Our project manager and BDS associate, Leah Dejenu, helping young innovators with their startup ideas at ‘startup weekend Addis’

R&D Group has been striving for the past ten years to explore and engage in innovative methodsto address the Ethiopian youth unemployment challenge by strengthening and equippingprofessionals with mentorship and coaching through our impactful training programs. Our highlyqualified and internationally certified trainers have long been thriving to empower, engage, andtrain young Ethiopians. Ethiopia has established the Jobs creation commission, later set up asFederal Ministry of Skills and Labors https://jobscommission.gov.et/, in order to alleviate thecountry’s high unemployment, particularly amongst the youth. It just launched the #ET WorksMaster of Trainer Training program, which will train 400 people in foundational skills, Digital skills,Job search skills, Entrepreneurial mentality, and Navigating Career Pathways. . The #ET Works Master Trainer Training Program has ten days of intensive training and certification as a Master Trainer drew 63 Ethiopian who had previous training and coaching experience. Three of our ownR&D Group’s mid-level management women, Sosina Wondw0ssen, Bethlehem Zewdie, andFrehiwot Sintayehu were among the 63 participants on the second round of the #ET Works project.Not only did these bright young women went through the training but they were partners of JCC onmaking the event memorable . One of our staff members who attended the training, pictured above, shared her story about howher experience affected the way she sees herself and the world around her. She noted that while10 days looked like a small period of time, it had a huge impact on her and that she met brilliantand impressive people during that time. She also indicated an interest in seeing the future resultsof the 63 trainers among herself. At the end of the training participants had effectively facilitated,delivered, addressed emerging challenges, appropriately supported other participants within theirteams. Thus, we are proud of our performance-driven young female colleagues who representedthe women of R&D Group in being qualified as Master Trainers, forming the foundation for thedevelopment of better-skilled young professionals.