Once David Röschli set up the vocational training centre in 1989, SELAM became a sustainably effective organisation. By learning a trade, the SELAM children as well as many other young people gain the opportunity to become independent and find work in the local economy. The vocational training provided by SELAM is based on the dual learning system with 30% theory and 70% practice.
Selam David Röschli - Technical Vocational College (SDR-TVC)
At the site in Addis Ababa, young people can complete a traineeship in the following fields:
Metalwork and Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering / Electronics, Vehicle Mechanics / Vehicle Electrics, Woodwork, IT and Business Administration, Cookery / Service / Hospitality, Sewing, Agriculture.
SELAM offers regular apprenticeships lasting one to four years, as well as various short courses lasting only six months. In 2019, 94% of all students at SELAM passed their final exam, and 934 trainees were able to find employment or set up their own business.
In addition, a training centre for bus drivers and HGV drivers was set up in 2019 under the umbrella of the SELAM vocational training offering – the Misale Training Centre.
SELAM Awasa
Business Group (SABG)
In 2007, David and Marie-Luise Röschli moved from Addis Ababa to Hawassa in order to set up an additional vocational training centre in partnership with the Dutch aid organisation Dorcas.
Two different training courses are currently offered in Hawassa: a traineeship in Metalwork, and one in Catering / Service. Both training courses are also offered as short courses.
In late 2020, 45 trainees took part in the Metalwork course, and 155 trainees in the Catering / Service course (both the short course and regular course).
Shalom Engineering
Dire Dawa (SEDD)
The training and production company Shalom Engineering Dire Dawa was also set up in partnership with the aid organisation Dorcas. In 2019, construction of the most important buildings such as offices, production halls and training halls was completed.
The first 40 trainees were able to begin their Metalwork courses in October 2019. Ultimately, however, only four trainees decided to continue their training. This might be related to the social and ethnic unrest that frequently grips the city of Dire Dawa, as well as the distance of the training centre from the city.
