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The Liberia National Technical and Vocational Education and Training inaugural Job Fair 2024, held on November 27 at the Invincible Sports Park in Monrovia, marked a groundbreaking effort to connect job seekers with employers and enhance collaboration between the private sector and TVET institutions.
Organized under the Youth Rising Project by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in collaboration with the government of Liberia with funding from the European Union (EU) and Sweden, the event was hailed as a vital step toward empowering Liberia’s youth.
The job fair featured CV-writing workshops, career guidance sessions, entrepreneurship showcases, and a vibrant exhibition of locally made products. Employers from sectors such as agriculture, ICT, construction, and manufacturing engaged with job seekers, offering insights into job opportunities and skill requirements.
Throughout the day, job seekers engaged with employers from various sectors to explore job openings, internships, and other professional opportunities. Many attendees received tailored guidance on enhancing their CVs and presenting their skills to potential employers effectively.
The fair emphasized the critical role of TVET in driving economic development by equipping young people with practical skills aligned with industry needs. This collaboration is vital for Liberia’s growth in sectors such as agriculture, ICT, construction, and manufacturing.
Christine Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator to Liberia, highlighted the importance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in fostering economic growth and empowerment.
“TVET plays a pivotal role in equipping young people with practical skills for economic development. It is the backbone of job creation, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” she remarked.
Umutoni underscored the transformative power of TVET in tackling unemployment and promoting local industries. She also emphasized the importance of gender inclusion, noting, “Women in TVET are breaking barriers in industries like food processing, tailoring, ICT, and agriculture. Their empowerment is key to addressing gender disparities and combating gender-based violence.”
Ms. Nona Deprez, Head of the EU Delegation to Liberia, praised the event as a milestone in aligning the skills of Liberia’s youth with the needs of the private sector.
“For us, the objective of Youth Rising is to ensure that youth are equipped with skills demanded by the private sector,” Deprez explained. She expressed hope that the job fair could become an annual event, evolving into an even more impactful platform for employment and skill development.
Deprez highlighted the importance of youth entrepreneurship and the need for stronger collaboration between TVET institutions and the private sector. “Next year, we will launch a private sector development program to ensure that the skills acquired by youth are aligned with industry needs,” she revealed.
Earlier, Rogers Ndege, Chief Technical Advisor and Project Manager of the Youth Rising Project, set the tone for the day. Acknowledging initial technical challenges, he reaffirmed the importance of the event, emphasizing its goal of fostering interaction between businesses, job seekers, and vocational institutions.
“The job fair is meant to bring the private sector together with graduates from vocational institutions. It serves as a platform for job seekers to identify opportunities, present their skills effectively, and engage directly with employers,” Ndege stated.
Ndege highlighted the fair’s role in fostering private sector engagement in skills development. “At the end of the day, it’s the private sector that benefits from the skills developed in these institutions. This partnership is essential for nurturing a workforce that meets industry demands,” he added.
In his remarks, Swedish Ambassador Karl Backéus applauded the initiative’s success and reiterated Sweden’s commitment to supporting vocational training in Liberia.
“Ensuring that youth believe in a brighter future is fundamental for the future of this country,” he said. “We are proud to have provided 55 million Swedish crowns to support the TVET program.”
Backéus emphasized the need for job fairs like this to focus on sectors with high job creation potential and to strengthen collaboration between private sector actors and vocational institutions.
“Liberia’s growth must be driven by a vibrant private sector with skilled workers,” he noted. “Events like this are critical in aligning training with industry needs.”
“We hope this can be replicated in the future, both here and across the country,” Ambassador Backéus concluded. His sentiments were shared by all, signaling a unified vision for empowering Liberia’s youth and advancing the nation’s economic prospects.
Assistant Minister for TVET at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Collins Tamba, celebrated the job fair as a historic moment for the country’s workforce development.
“This is Liberia’s first-ever TVET job fair, and you should be proud to be part of this history-making event,” Tamba declared.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering young people through skills development, a priority under the ARREST agenda. “For Liberia to thrive, we must have a ready and prepared workforce, and events like this play a pivotal role in achieving that goal,” he said.
Representing the private sector and Liberia Chamber of Commerce, David Kiamu highlighted the fair’s importance in creating pathways for young professionals and skilled workers.
“The Liberia Chamber of Commerce is proud to support this initiative. It aligns with our mission to foster economic growth and create a sustainable workforce,” Kiamu stated. Drawing from personal experience, he shared how a similar event had shaped his professional journey, emphasizing the transformative power of such initiatives.
Kiamu commended the collaborative effort among partners, including the EU, UNIDO, and YOCEL, in making the event a success. “The Liberia Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting such initiatives as part of our mission to foster economic growth and sustainable development,” he concluded.
