ECTA Develops National Occupational Standard for Coffee Sector

The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Skills, held a wide-ranging discussion with relevant stakeholders on the newly developed Occupational Standard (OS) for the coffee industry. The forum was attended by senior government officials, regional representatives, industry associations, university scholars and development partners.

A Major Step Forward

In his message to the forum, the Director General of the Authority, Honorable Dr. Adugna Debela, stated that the measures taken by the Authority to identify the root causes of coffee production and marketing challenges are achieving tangible changes. In particular, he noted that the establishment of the Coffee Training Center (CTC) to modernize coffee post-harvest handling and human resource development is a major breakthrough.

Objectives of the Occupational Standard

The new Occupational Standard (OS) was developed to address critical gaps in the coffee sector:

• Global Benchmarking: Ensure that training programs provided by the Coffee Training Center meet international quality standards.
• National Uniformity: Establish a consistent professional measurement framework across Ethiopia, creating a uniform standard at the national level.
• Global Competitiveness: Empower Ethiopian coffee professionals with recognized certifications that increase their international standing and competitiveness.

Backbone for Long-Term Growth

Expressing his gratitude to the stakeholders involved in the drafting process, the Director General emphasized that once ratified, this document will serve as the backbone for the sector's long-term growth and modernization.

This milestone marks a new chapter for Ethiopia's coffee industry, positioning the country to produce internationally certified professionals who can uphold the quality and reputation of Ethiopian coffee in global markets.