Monrovia – The Ministry of Youth and Sports has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering partnerships aimed at strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Liberia.
Speaking at the celebration of World Youth Skills Day in Monrovia, Collins Tamba, Assistant Minister for TVET, emphasized the critical role of TVET in addressing unemployment and bridging the skills gap in the country.
The event, organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and sponsored by the European Union, brought together various TVET institutions for a skills competition. This year’s celebration highlighted the importance of investing in TVET to boost the nation’s workforce capabilities.
Several participating institutions, including the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), AML Training Academy, and Zorzor Multilateral High School, praised UNIDO and other donors for their support in organizing the event. The schools expressed optimism that such initiatives would significantly enhance the skills of Liberian youth.
UNIDO Project Manager Anthony Nimely thanked the organizers, judges, teachers, principals, and students for their contributions to the event. He reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to supporting the Liberian government in its efforts to enhance TVET programs for young people. “We remain dedicated to backing the government and ensuring that TVET remains a priority in developing the skills of Liberia’s youth,” Nimely stated.
In his remarks, Assistant Minister Collins Tamba highlighted the importance of the partnership with UNIDO and the European Union. He thanked all partners and stakeholders for their support and emphasized the need for continuous investment in TVET. Tamba noted that despite the delay in celebrating World Youth Skills Day on July 15th, the event on July 18th provided a platform for showcasing the talents of young Liberians.
Tamba also shared insights from his recent visit to China, where he led a team representing Liberia in the Belt and Road Skills International Competition. Liberia competed against 61 countries, highlighting the nation’s potential in the global skills arena. Tamba stressed the importance of preparing young Liberians to seize opportunities through education and training.
“We need to engage every possible partner and ensure that TVET is recognized as essential to our labor market,” Tamba said. He emphasized that skilled labor is crucial for Liberia’s economic development and that without it, the country risks losing out on valuable economic opportunities.
Participating schools lauded the efforts of the government and partners in organizing the TVET skills competition. They suggested that future events should begin at the county level, with winners advancing to national competitions. This, they believe, would provide more practice opportunities and increase the overall impact of the program.
“We believe this approach will generate more momentum and give students ample time to prepare,” a representative from one of the schools stated. The schools also emphasized the need for more resources and planning to ensure that all participants can compete effectively.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with UNIDO and other partners, remains committed to advancing TVET in Liberia, recognizing its pivotal role in national development and economic growth.
