By Emmanuel Mafelah,mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
In an effort to prepare underprivileged citizens for the job market, a vocational school run by Liberia’s Deputy House Speaker Prince K. Moye graduated two hundred and thirty in various disciplines at the weekend.
About 90% of the graduates are breadwinners for their respective families who had, over the years, endured hardship making ends meet.
This first cycle of the Prince K. Moye Vocational and Technical Skills Training Program offered Computer and Soap Sciences, Carpentry, Home Economics, amongst other things.
As sponsor, the Deputy Speaker spent 8,000 United States Dollars during the first phase with commitment to keep supporting the free vocational skills training program.
Findings of a survey conducted in October 2018 by the international group, Youth Power, underscored an overwhelming need for “programs that offer skills, assets, and supports for youth to obtain a stable source of income through self-employment in the informal sector,” etc.
The Bong County lawmaker told reporters that the program is intended to empower young Liberians to “find meaningful market opportunities and self-employment by increasing their skills and livelihoods.”
He said the institution also seeks to help young people of Liberia, especially citizens of Bong county to acquire knowledge in computer education and other disciplines.
He also promised to work with staff to add a vocational driving school component to courses being offered at the institution.
The Deputy House Speaker has also commended the graduating class for the level of discipline exhibited during their training despite the many challenges facing the Country.
The Bong County District#2 Lawmaker provided LD$700,000 to the graduating class as his own way of identifying with them as they enter the job market.
For his part, a proxy for the Managing Director of the National Pot Authority, Bill Tweahway, Mr. Civicus Barsigiah called on the graduates to use the knowledge acquired wisely to the benefit of the Country.
Mr. Barsigiah also used the occasion to appeal to well-meaning Liberians, national government and other technical institutions operating in the county to rally support for the Prince K. Moye Vocational and Technical Skills Training Program in its bid to achieve objectives.
Several business tycoons and relevant institutions were represented at the graduation ceremony held at the school in Sheansue Town, District #2 in Bong County.