In one of the largest competency assessments of its kind, over 15 thousands employees of the Addis Ababa city administration flooded exam halls at Addis Ababa University and Kotebe University on Saturday to take a test that will have major ramifications for their professional futures.
Over 15,592 directors, executives and other bureaucrats descended on campuses across the city's largest institution of higher learning to sit for the fateful evaluation mandated by administrative leadership.
Test scores coupled with ongoing performance reviews could make or break careers, with promotions, demotions, pay cuts or outright dismissal all potential outcomes for underperformers exposed by the process.
The examination will carry significant weight, with test scores accounting for as much as 35% of an individual's overall evaluation. Work performance, experience, and other soft skills will comprise the remainder.
Those who demonstrate suitable competency in their given roles stand to potentially be promoted to positions they have competed for. However, staffers found lacking could face demotion, pay cuts or even termination, depending on deficiencies exposed.
Employees floundering after the assessment will be reassigned and retrained to bolster weak areas before being re-evaluated. Only repeated failure could end in dismissal, suggesting a chance for redemption.
