To strengthen the capacity of Alage Agricultural TVET College Business Incubation Center (BIC), a four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program was recently conducted for the academic staff and management of the college alongside representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Skills (MoLS). This ToT aimed to equip participants with the required technical skills and knowledge to effectively deliver training and manage the Business Incubation Centre (BIC) of the college.
Participants and training structure
The training brought together nine participants, including selected academic staff and management from Alage Agricultural TVET College, as well as two representatives from MoLS. The program adopted an interactive and practice-oriented modality, ensuring participants could replicate the training processes in real-world scenarios.
The training was structured into two main components: two days of classroom-based sessions followed by two days of field visits. This balanced approach allowed participants to gain theoretical insights while also engaging in practical experience-sharing activities with established companies. To further enhance learning outcomes, the program was supported by systematically organized training materials.
The training covered a range of topics designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of business incubation and entrepreneurship. The main topics included:
Business Incubation Centers: Explored their role in developing ideas into viable enterprises.
Incubation cycle: Covered stages like recruitment, coaching, evaluation, and follow-up support.
Business coaching: Highlighted coaching competencies and effective communication techniques.
Business model canvas: Focused on designing models with clear value propositions and customer strategies.
Access to finance: Provided insights into financial management and resource optimization.
Experience sharing and field visits
Participants visited three organizations for practical learning as part of their training, starting at the Ethiopian Association for Startup Ecosystem (EASE), which supports Ethiopia’s innovation and startup growth.
Then General Wingate TVET College: Here, Participants observed firsthand the operations of a well-established BIC, gaining valuable insights into its challenges and strategies for resilience.
Next, the group explored greenhouse and seedling production processes, witnessing how agricultural knowledge can be transformed into practical, profitable enterprises.
The visit concluded at HortiLife PLC, a hub of innovation in greenhouse operations. Here, participants gained insights into pre-production, production, and post-production processes. They learned about input management, temperature control, and best practices for handling delicate crops.
The ToT program was successfull and it is expected that it equipped participants with the tools to manage a thriving BIC and foster entrepreneurial innovation.
You must be logged in to post a comment.