MONROVIA – The landscape of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Liberia received a significant boost over the weekend as 76 instructors officially graduated from the Program for Reflective and Operational Facilitation (PROF). The ceremony, held under the auspices of the STRIVE Project, also marked the official handover of three fully equipped workshops to the Liberian government, signaling a shift toward a more practical, market-driven educational model.
By Francis G. Boayue
The STRIVE Project, implemented by the European Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD) and funded by a €10 million grant from the French Development Agency (AFD), aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the demands of the Liberian labor market.
The graduating class comprised staff from five key institutions: AVTP, BDOTC, MVTC, LOIC, and Maryann Cheesman. These instructors underwent rigorous training in Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) modules, moving away from purely theoretical instruction toward a hands-on approach.
Adelphe N’DOMAN, Senior TVET Manager for the STRIVE Project, highlighted the transformation. “These instructors have strengthened their ability to plan and organize lessons, design practical learning activities, and assess performance based on abilities and attitude rather than theoretical knowledge alone,” N’DOMAN stated. He noted that the PROF program ensures the TVET system remains REAL: Relevant, Effective, and Aligned with labor market needs.
In addition to the graduation, IECD officially handed over fully equipped workshops in Electricity, Masonry, and Hospitality to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. These facilities are designed to serve as the frontline of vocational training, allowing trainees to master occupational skills in a real-world environment.
Representing the AFD, Country Coordinator Mr. Eliot Sotty emphasized the importance of this investment. “Sustainable development starts with strong capacities and dedicated individuals,” Sotty said. “Through this program, you have embraced a more reflective and operational approach to training—one that will directly benefit your students and the broader TVET system.”
Serving as the keynote speaker, Hon. Thomas M. Parker, Deputy Minister for Research, Planning, and Development at the Ministry of Education, delivered a touching charge to the graduates on behalf of Education Minister Dr. Jarso M. Jallah.
“Our country stands at a crossroads of opportunity,” Minister Parker told the graduates. “With youth unemployment as a pressing challenge, you are the bridge between education and employment. You are not just teaching trades; you are building futures.”
The Deputy Minister urged the newly certified instructors to act as a vanguard for the nation’s economy, stressing three core principles: Excellence, Integrity, and Adaptability.
The event concluded with expressions of gratitude to various partners, including AFD, GoL and TVET centers and the private sector. Both the AFD and IECD reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Liberian national institutions in strengthening the quality and sustainability of the TVET sector.
As Liberia continues to modernize its workforce, the collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and international partners like IECD and AFD stands as a model for addressing youth employability through practical, high-impact education.
