Africa-Press – Liberia. Hundreds of job seekers, with a particular focus on those with technical and vocational education and training (TVET) backgrounds, recently convened at a job fair organized by the European Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD) in partnership with the Ministries of Youth, Sports, and Education.
The aim of the fair, held under the STRIVE project, was to provide young people with opportunities to connect with potential employers and enhance their job-seeking skills. Taking place at the SKD Sports Gymnasium in Paynesville, the event brought together TVET students from institutions such as BWI, LOIC, and Maryann Cheeseman, who could interact directly with representatives from various organizations and companies looking to potentially hire prospective TVET graduates.
Participating entities included GSA, Public Works, Lonestar Cell MTN, Orange Liberia, Farmington Hotel, Corina, and Murex Holdings Ltd.
Adelphe N’Doman, senior project manager at IECD, highlighted that the STRIVE Job Fair 2023 is just one component of the organization’s activities in Liberia, supported by the French government
N’Doman emphasized the project relies on collaboration with local, national, and international partners to address a wide range of expertise and sub-skills, encompassing technical training, internships, and job search support.
He said that the fair aimed to foster improved interaction between graduates and potential employers, providing graduates with an opportunity to showcase their skills, while employers could select the most suitable candidates for their companies.
“Today, this event is to bring graduates and employers together to create an environment where they can better interact,” he said.
Speaking about the job fair, N’Doman observed that today in Liberia, two-thirds of the population, ranging from 15 to 35, places the youth at the call of the government and the Liberian national youth policy as key priorities.
“So, with support from the French government through the French Development Agencies, IECD is implementing the STRIVE project on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education. It is a five-year project aimed at helping Liberian youth access education and sustainable employment,” he said.
N’Doman also said in his opening statement that IECD has supported human and economic development through technical and vocational education training known as TVET.
IECD is currently engaged in six countries worldwide through collaboration with numerous local partners, focusing on promoting human and economic development via technical and vocational education and training (TVET) initiatives.
According to him, IECD deploys expertise in hospitality, electricity, construction, masonry, and agriculture.
“In hospitality, for instance, IECD works in six countries, including Madagascar, Vietnam, Thailand, Lebanon, Tunisia, and now Liberia.
He said that IECD’s primary aim is to assist and collaborate with ministries, implement the TVET national strategy, and serve the young generation.
The STRIVE project, implemented on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education, aims to assist Liberian youth in accessing education and sustainable employment over a five-year period.
It operates in four counties – Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Bong – partnering with nine training centers to provide quality training and support for young people to secure better employment prospects.
Soline Coma, representing the AFD, expressed optimism that the fair would contribute to reducing youth unemployment in Liberia and support young people in showcasing their skills. Coma praised the AFD’s support for the STRIVE project, which aimed to nurture youth talent and enhance their readiness for the job market.
“This fair is also a good idea to connect or respond to the needs of the private sector. So I am very happy to represent the AFD here today, which is an opportunity to connect youth talents with opportunity,” she said.
Millias Z. Sheriff, Assistant Minister for TVET at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, lauded the job fair as a significant milestone for the TVET sector in Liberia, emphasizing the efforts of the IECD align with President George Weah’s vision to provide youth with sufficient opportunities for technical education and employment prospects.
He described the fair as a unique opportunity for young Liberians. “This is as a very great day that for the first of its kind under the TVET sector we are having an instituted job fair organization for such a ceremony in Liberia,” Sheriff said.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening the TVET sector, particularly concerning policies, human capacity development, and the provision of modern equipment.
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