LG Electronics' vocational training program supporting youth independence in Ethiopia has achieved significant results over the past decade. This initiative, which goes beyond simple educational support to connect young people with employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, exemplifies a Korean model of development cooperation.
On August 22, LG Electronics announced the 10th graduation ceremony at the LG-KOICA Hope Vocational Training School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This year, 68 students graduated, bringing the total number of graduates since the school's opening in 2014 to 679. The employment and entrepreneurship rate among graduates stands at 100%.
The LG-KOICA Hope Vocational Training School was established through a collaboration between LG Electronics, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the Ethiopian government. The school is operated by LG Electronics and the international development NGO World Together, providing free vocational training in electronics and IT. Students also receive lunch and transportation support.
Notably, the program includes pathways to employment after training. Outstanding graduates are offered internship opportunities with LG Electronics' Central Service Corporation. For those interested in starting their own businesses, the school provides practical training and mentoring in areas such as law and marketing through its entrepreneurship support center.
LG Electronics is expanding its efforts to create a sustainable model for self-reliance by not only imparting skills to local youth but also linking them to internships and entrepreneurship support through its overseas subsidiaries.
This success has been recognized internationally. The LG-KOICA Hope Vocational Training School was highlighted as an exemplary case of Korea's development cooperation at the G7 summit held in France in June. In 2020, the Ethiopian government also recognized it as a model for vocational training.
Among this year's graduates are twin siblings, grandchildren of a veteran of the Korean War. They received training in IT and networking and are preparing for careers as a network engineer and an IT entrepreneur, respectively.
Yoon Dae-sik, Executive Vice President of LG Electronics' External Cooperation Division, stated, "Through the Hope Vocational Training School, we have been providing opportunities for Ethiopian youth to achieve independence, and we are seeing meaningful results after 10 years. We will continue to strive to help young people around the world realize their dreams and achieve self-reliance."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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