Africa-Press – Liberia. The Government of Liberia (GoL) has reaffirmed its deepening partnership with the European Union (EU), the Government of Sweden and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to accelerate job creation and private sector growth through Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as the Second National TVET Job Fair and Expo 2025 hosted on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at the Invincible Sports Park in Monrovia.
The high-level job fair, held to Connect Skilled Youth with Liberia’s Private Sector, brought together 27 companies offering at least 85 job vacancies, hundreds of skilled youths, international development partners, government officials and private sector leaders.
The event formed part of the Youth Rising Project, implemented by UNIDO with funding from the European Union and the Government of Sweden, and additional support from UNESCO, European Chamber of Commerce, Liberian Chamber of Commerce and Lonestar Cell Mobile Money.
Delivering the official opening remarks on behalf of Education Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah, the Assistant Minister for Technical, Vocational Education and Training, Nathaniel K. Cisco Jr., said the job fair symbolizes a growing national and international alliance to ensure that skills training translates into real employment.
“Today’s job fair is more than a gathering. It is a bridge between the skills we deliver and the opportunities of our young people,” Minister Cisco declared.
He disclosed that Minister Jallah was unable to attend due to pressing national duties but conveyed her full endorsement of the initiative. “She extends her full support and best wishes for the success of this event,” he said.
Minister Cisco credited the success of Liberia’s TVET revival to sustained international cooperation.
“Through the Youth Rising Project, hundreds of thousands of Liberians have been empowered with marketable skills thanks to the steadfast support of the European Union and the Swedish Government. We remain sincerely grateful for this partnership,” he stated, while also acknowledging France for its continuous investment in Liberia’s TVET sector.
However, he cautioned that skills development alone will not transform Liberia’s economy without strong private sector absorption.
“We must face a key truth training, without empowerment we cannot transform our economy. Skills must align with industrial needs, and industry must open pathways to our skilled youth. That is why today matters,” he emphasized.
He challenged employers to see young Liberians as collaborators in national transformation.
“I call on employers and industrial leaders to see our young people not just as job seekers, but as partners in innovation and national development. And to our young people — step forward with confidence. Your skills are needed now more than ever,” he declared.
French Ambassador to Liberia, Madame Isabelle Le Guellec, reinforced France’s expanding engagement in Liberia’s skills sector through development and private sector support.
“France is also active in TVET in Liberia. We have a STRIVE Project with the French Development Agency, a scholarship program, and an international technical expert at the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” she said.
She disclosed that French companies including Orange, AGL, Bureau Veritas, CMA-CGM, Renault, Ecobank and SUNU Insurance are actively supporting skills development and private sector growth.
However, she warned that several structural challenges remain.
“There is a need for a harmonized and aligned curriculum in each trade. The entrepreneurship curriculum has just been validated, and curricula in masonry, hospitality and agriculture are now ready. But they must be rolled out in all TVET centers across Liberia’s 15 counties,” Ambassador Le Guellec stressed.
She described sustainability as the sector’s biggest challenge, calling on the Liberian government to steadily assume financial responsibility.
“Funding of TVET centers, equipment, management and teachers’ salaries must be provided by the Government of Liberia in the medium term. TVET is essential for economic growth, entrepreneurship and job creation. It is therefore paramount that the national budget allocates enough resources to sustain the sector,” she emphasized.
On private sector linkages, she revealed that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai recently told French investors that Liberia intends to shift from raw material exportation to local manufacturing.
“TVET must ensure that the skills taught are those needed in the labor market and future manufacturing development,” she said, while also calling for the establishment of a national regulatory authority for TVET.
Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, Karl Backéus, described the job fair as a major pillar of Liberia’s economic future, warning against overdependence on government employment. “Historically, there has been an over-reliance on government jobs. But Liberia’s future lies in strong private sector growth and that requires skilled labor,” he asserted.
He disclosed that Sweden has invested nearly US$8 million in Liberia’s TVET sector since 2018 through UNIDO, with a focus on expanding access beyond Monrovia.
“We need quality schools and job opportunities not only here in Monrovia, but across the entire country,” he added, praising the success of the Voinjama Multilateral High School in Lofa County as a model institution.
EU Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez, said the job fair has become a major recruitment and youth empowerment platform.
“This is only the second job fair in Liberia, and we hope it becomes an annual national platform linking job seekers and employers,” she said.
She disclosed that 27 companies were present with at least 85 job vacancies, while more than 300 young people registered for the event.
“This is also a free opportunity for young people to learn how to develop CVs, respond to interview questions, and navigate the labor market,” Deprez explained.
She further announced a major innovation incentive under the TVET Expo. “The top three winners of the Innovation Showcase will receive up to one thousand United States dollars as seed funding to support their ideas,” she revealed, encouraging youth to seize the opportunity for networking and career growth.
Representing the UN Resident Coordinator and UNIDO Headquarters, Chie Matsumoto, framed the job fair around three pillars — skills, strength and success.
“Today is a celebration of young people’s skills in Liberia. Through exhibitions, job matching, CV clinics, interview coaching and innovation pitching, young people are being prepared for real economic opportunities,” she said.
She credited the fair to strong international solidarity involving the EU, Sweden, France, Finland, Iceland, Germany and the Government of Liberia.
“Together, we are investing in people, strengthening institutions and fostering innovation for Liberia’s future,” Matsumoto stated.
Speaking on behalf of job-seeking students, Jerralyn B. Kou, an electrical installation and maintenance student at Zwedru Multilateral High School, delivered a powerful testimony on how the Youth Rising Project has transformed young lives.
“Through the Youth Rising Project, young people like myself have gained access to quality training, equipment and an environment that encourages excellence, innovation and positivity,” she said.
She described the job fair as a life-changing platform for Liberia’s youth. “This job fair bridges the gap between education and employment.
It creates pathways for decent work, entrepreneurship and national development,” Kou stated, encouraging young Liberians to embrace TVET as a respected and viable career pathway.
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