Published: January 9, 2026
HARPER CITY, Maryland County – As part of efforts to strengthen youth employment and workforce readiness in Maryland County, the Maryland Vocational Training Institute (MVTI) has begun a two-week Training of Trainers program for ten instructors.
The training, which officially commenced on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Maryland County Administration Building in Harper, brings together government officials, education leaders, and technical experts committed to advancing vocational and technical education in Liberia. The program is intended to prepare instructors who will deliver market-relevant skills to young people, positioning them for employment and entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, MVTI Director Mr. Roland Bailea said the training marks the transition of the institution from planning to implementation. “This training is about building a unified team that will move the youth of this county forward. The government’s agenda prioritizes youth empowerment, and you are the ones who will drive that process,” Bailea said. He noted that the instructors are being exposed to national curricula and standards to ensure quality and consistency in classroom delivery.
Providing an overview of the initiative, Deputy Director for Training and Manpower, Mr. Gregory M. Mieh, said the institution is laying a strong foundation for practical skills development. “The responsibility before us is to transform young Liberians into employable and self-reliant citizens,” Mieh said. He explained that MVTI, established by an Act of the National Legislature in 2021, operates from Pleebo and serves as a key government institution for skills training in Maryland County. According to Mieh, the institute offers a wide range of programs including construction trades, agriculture, mechanics, electricity, home economics, refrigeration and air-conditioning, and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
However, five priority programs have been selected for the initial training cycle based on workforce demand. These include tailoring and fashion design, catering, electricity, air-conditioning and refrigeration, and computer studies (ICT). Two instructors have been assigned to each program area. Addressing the trainees, Professor Alexander S. Gandyu, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at William V.S. Tubman University, described the instructors as pioneers of a new skills-driven education system. “You are laying the foundation for an institution that will shape livelihoods and restore dignity through skills,” Professor Gandyu said, noting similarities with the early growth of vocational institutions in Liberia during the 1990s. He emphasized that vocational educators play a critical role in bridging the gap between education and the labor market.
Meanwhile, Ms. Annie T. Sleweon, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Principal of Cape Palmas High School, said vocational education is essential for reshaping Liberia’s education pathway. “We cannot continue pushing all students straight to universities. Vocational education must be seen as a viable and respected option, especially in the southeast,” she said. She encouraged the instructors to serve not only as teachers but also as mentors and role models for young people.
Also speaking, Mr. Zizi Cyrus, Director at the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Department of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said the MVTI initiative aligns with national policies aimed at tackling youth unemployment. “When young people are trained, certified, and supported, they become contributors to national growth rather than liabilities,” Cyrus said. He confirmed that MVTI’s programs comply with the national TVET policy and qualification framework. Officially launching the training, Maryland County Superintendent Mr. Henry B. Cole Jr. described vocational education as a critical investment in the county’s future. “Young people make up nearly 60 percent of Liberia’s population. Providing them with quality vocational education is not optional — it is necessary,” Cole said. He urged youths across the county to take advantage of the training opportunities being rolled out by MVTI, describing vocational education as “career education” that prepares learners for real-world challenges.
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