At FC, workforce development is considered a key driver of Ethiopia’s economic transformation. First Consult has developed comprehensive systems for addressing labour market inefficiencies, supporting job creation, and improving workforce preparedness. These initiatives have contributed significantly to scaling employment opportunities and developing essential skills across diverse regions and industrial sectors in Ethiopia.
- Labor Market Systems & Workforce Preparedness: Creating structured systems that link labour supply with demand, address skills gaps, and provide essential soft skills training.
- Inclusive Job Creation Programmes: Developing market-based, inclusive approaches that cater to youth, particularly women, through a systematic job matching process.
HIPSTER (Hawassa Industrial Park Sourcing and Training Employees in the Region) – 2013-2020
FC implemented the HIPSTER project in response to labour challenges at the Hawassa Industrial Park. The initiative created a standardised labour demand-supply system, providing screening, training, and job matching for job seekers while offering soft skills development to improve worker readiness. The system expanded beyond Hawassa, evolving into IPSTER, standardizing labour sourcing across multiple industrial parks.
BRIDGES Programme – 2019-2024
The BRIDGES programme built on the HIPSTER/IPSTER model and scaled its reach to over eight industrial parks across Ethiopia. It addressed workforce sourcing, screening, and employability challenges while providing training to bridge cultural and skill gaps for rural workers entering the industrial sector. The programme extended its impact beyond industrial parks, adapting the model to support workforce development across multiple regions of Ethiopia, including urban and rural settings.