LG-KOICA vocational school in Ethiopia empowers 611 youths toward self-reliance

A decade-long educational initiative in Africa has transformed the futures of more than 600 young people.

On the 11th (local time), LG Electronics held the ninth graduation ceremony of the LG-KOICA Hope Vocational Training School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seventy graduates from this cohort completed training in electrical, electronic, and information technology (IT) skills, marking the start of their professional journeys.

The school was established in 2014 as a gesture of gratitude and friendship toward Ethiopia, the only African nation to participate in the Korean War. Founded through collaboration between LG Electronics, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the Ethiopian government, the institution offers tuition-free, practice-oriented technical education to help local youth achieve independence.

Including this year’s graduates, the school has produced a total of 611 alumni, all of whom have successfully entered the workforce or launched their own businesses. Graduates have secured positions not only at LG Electronics but also at a variety of local and international IT and technology companies, while others have used their training to build successful startups. This achievement represents not just skill transfer but also a tangible boost to the local economy.

Yoon Dae-sik, Executive Vice President of External Relations at LG Electronics, said, “As a global corporate citizen, we believe it is our responsibility to grow together with local communities and help young people realize their dreams. We will continue to support the healthy self-reliance of youth around the world.”

For Ethiopian youth, the Hope Vocational Training School is more than an educational institution — it is a launchpad for designing new lives and embracing new challenges. The partnership between LG Electronics and KOICA is expected to continue opening ‘doors of opportunity’ for young people in the years to come.