Be discovered!
Bringing students and companies together, the event improved job opportunities and prepared young professionals for a real working environment.
One of the biggest obstacles Ethiopia faces on its race towards progress is the low rate of employment hampering the country. Thousands of students graduate every year, all in need of a career. At the same time, companies need qualified professionals to fill their vacancies and grow. Students perceive a need of opportunities while companies see difficulties in hiring skilled staff. But opportunities and skilled manpower are both out there, waiting to be discovered. There is a lack of information in the labor market. What would happen if it would be possible to bring job seekers and employers together?
In its aim to improve competitiveness and promote employment, ecbp, in cooperation with Info Mind Solutions (IMS), Ethiopia’s leading Human Resources consultancy and creator of the first online recruitment in the country (www.ethiojobs.com), organized Ethiopia’s first National Career Expo for students, graduates and enterprises. Career Expo 2007 was held on June 1st and 2nd, 2007, in Addis Ababa. Skills and demands came together in a unique event which resulted in numerous jobs and internships. Career Expo 2007 was exceptional because it was not just a Job Fair, but also an Internship Fair, providing numerous internship places.
Job Fair
A Job Fair allows employers and job seekers to meet and find employment opportunities. Job seekers have an excellent opportunity to discover those fields which are in demand and to find internships or employment. Students received advice and guidance in finding their perfect job through the Expo’s Career Clinics.
Companies meet the most qualified graduates and students from universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes and so find the most competent men and women.
TVET colleges and universities also had a forum at the Career Expo to present their reform efforts to a wide audience and involve enterprises in their work.
Internship Fair
Internships are a common practice internationally and an effective tool to link students with companies, creating an optimum environment for future work relationships. Internships were an important part of the Career Expo, where concrete quality projects between universities/TVET colleges and companies were created, giving students the chance to develop their skills in a real working environment and making the Career Expo more than a two-day event.
Career Development
The central idea of ecbp is capacity development. For this reason the Career Expo was much more than a place to find jobs or employees. It was about students getting into the labor market, having a better CV, carrying out internships, knowing what companies require from their staff. It is also related to the education that universities and TVET Colleges give their students and how they can cooperate with companies to give students better employments prospects.
But to get this, constant support is necessary. That is why Career Counselors are being placed in the educational system. Career Counselors begin to prepare students and graduates for their participation in the Career Expo and will provide constant advice at universities and TVET Colleges afterwards, helping to develop the careers of all those who are about to face the realities of work.
Human Resource Development
In order to strengthen the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s industry and education system, Human Resource (HR) capacity development is essential. The Career Expo bridged the information gap between employers and employees regarding HR management. It developed capacity on HR issues, such as recruitment processes, entrepreneurship and business development, reinforcing the common economic efforts channeling HR activities.