The CEE opened doors

In April and May 2008, German experts trained Ethiopian colleagues theoretically as well as on – the – job for eight weeks at the Centre of Excellence for Engineering (CEE). These were conducted in collaboration with the Construction Contractors Association in Ethiopia (CCAE) within the trades of carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electricity.

So far, trade specific trainings are not common in Ethiopia, but the advantages are visible. Examples are:

• The values of professions rise in the eyes of employees due to an identification with the respective work.
• The workers can collaborate closely within the trades and therefore share ideas and best practices.
• The skills and attitudes of workers improve due to the cooperation for example concerning exact measurement, timely product realization or responsibility for quality.

The outcomes of these trainings were presented on 29th of May 2008 in the CEE. More than 85 contractors, some newspapers and the Ethiopian Television saw practical live trainings and learned from the trainees about their changes in attitude due to the trade specific trainings.

Additionally, an agreement was signed between GTZ IS and CCAE, which gives both parties the opportunity to work together even closer than before.