Liberia Strengthens Workforce Development as Over 200 Graduate from BDOTC

Published: June 3, 2026

MONROVIA – More than 200 students graduated Friday from the Business and Domestic Occupational Training Center in Paynesville in the institution’s 19th commencement ceremony, as government officials used the occasion to announce curriculum expansions and facility reopenings aimed at broadening Liberia’s technical and vocational education footprint.

The graduating class is the first to benefit from BDOTC’s newly renovated facilities, completed with support from the European Union and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Speaking on behalf of Youth and Sports Minister Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, Deputy Minister for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Laraamond S. Nyonton said the ministry is pushing ahead with reforms centered on accountability, transparency, quality training and improved service delivery across the sector.

Nyonton announced plans to expand BDOTC’s curriculum to include fashion design, beauty therapy, cake decoration, event management, tourism and hospitality, saying the additions are designed to align training programs more closely with labor market demands and equip graduates with practical and entrepreneurial skills needed to compete in today’s economy.

He also disclosed that work is underway to revitalize and reopen several vocational training centers, including the TUTUMU Vocational Training Center, with discussions ongoing about reopening and expanding facilities in Clay and Zwedru.

“These programs will equip students with practical and entrepreneurial skills needed to compete in today’s job market,” Nyonton said, congratulating the graduates and commending BDOTC’s management and instructors for their commitment to technical education.

Also addressing the ceremony, Juanita Y. Yiah, representing Liberia National Tourism Authority Director General Princess Iwa Cooper, said the tourism and hospitality sectors hold significant untapped potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth and empower young Liberians through skills development. She praised BDOTC for preparing students for careers in tourism, customer service and hospitality management and said strengthening TVET remains essential to building a workforce capable of supporting the growth and competitiveness of Liberia’s tourism industry.

Yiah urged the graduates to carry their training into the workforce with professionalism, integrity and a commitment to innovation.

The ceremony brought together government officials, educators, development partners, students and family members to mark the graduates’ achievements and recognize BDOTC’s expanding role in Liberia’s technical and vocational education landscape.