Effectiveness of Occupational Competency Assessment and Certification of TVET in Ethiopia: Bridging Rhetoric and Reality.
| dc.contributor.advisor | Solomon Areaya | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Getachew Habtamu | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ashebir Tekle | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-05-25T11:23:54Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-05-25T11:23:54Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The study investigates the effectiveness of competency assessments and the alignment of rhetoric and reality in the practice of the occupational competency assessment and certification system in Ethiopia. The study utilized a mixed-methods, concurrent embedded design and adopted a pragmatic view to collect data from candidates, trainers, assessors, supervisors, directorates, and industry representatives using questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, observation, and document review. First the sample was identified purposively from the total population, who had significant experience and a profound understanding of competency assessment, and next it was taken randomly. The study utilized analysis including mean, standard deviation (SD), ANOVA, t-tests, correlation, and regression analysis, as well as narrative techniques to evaluate the qualitative data, organizing the analysis around the research questions as themes. The findings indicate that essential stakeholders, particularly the Ministries of Urban Development and Construction and Tourism, exhibited insufficient involvement in the policy development process. Additionally, major implementers of TVET policies and strategies, such as trainers and industries, lacked a clear understanding of the current policies and strategies. The value of competency assessments is generally viewed positively by most of the stakeholders. However, the study identifies several significant limitations, including low frequency of candidate assessment, a failure to uphold assessment standards, a high candidate-to-assessor ratio, and assessment tools that do not align with occupational standards. These issues show that the existing method misjudges TVET candidates' skills. Additionally, it found both congruence and disparity with the intended strategies and guiding principles. Activities like assessor methodology training, international benchmarking, tool validation, accreditation of assessment centers, and societal values align with the strategy and guiding principles. However, structural deficiencies, a lack of autonomy at the Center of Competency (CoC) Institutions, and mergers with other organizations cause a significant portion of these activities to fail to produce the expected results. The Ethiopian competency assessment system faces challenges in ensuring fairness, comparability, and reproducibility due to reliance on a single assessor per session, which leads to bias and inconsistency in decision-making procedures and a lack of internal and external verifiers. The study reveals that influencing factors related to CoC institutions have the highest standardized effect on competency assessment effectiveness, followed by assessment centers with the second largest coefficient. The predictor assessment tool has the least impact. The Ministry of Labor and Skill is recommended to enhance competency assessments by promoting awareness and dialogues at federal and regional levels. This includes incorporating industry expertise, highlighting training quality, and ensuring CoC Institutions autonomy. The study also suggests addressing concerns about single assessors, inconsistency in decision-making, and lack of internal and external verifiers. CoC institutions should be transparent, foster equity, and improve their efficacy through explicit communication, assessor competence, periodic evaluations, and an appeal mechanism. Assessment centers should be provided with standardized equipment, advanced technology, pre-assessment orientations, and optimal resource utilization. Key Words: Assessors, Assessment Centers, CoC Institutions, Competency Assessment, Ministry of Labor and Skill, Policy and Strategies, TVET | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8121 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | |
| dc.subject | Assessors | |
| dc.subject | Assessment Centers | |
| dc.subject | CoC Institutions | |
| dc.subject | Competency Assessment | |
| dc.subject | Ministry of Labor and Skill | |
| dc.subject | Policy and Strategies | |
| dc.subject | TVET. | |
| dc.title | Effectiveness of Occupational Competency Assessment and Certification of TVET in Ethiopia: Bridging Rhetoric and Reality. | |
| dc.type | Dissertation |