-Vice President Donates 1,000 Bags of Cement, Pledges Support for First 100 Students
TAPPITA, Nimba County – Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has launched the construction of a US$12.7 million vocational training institute in Tappita, describing the project as a transformative investment aimed at equipping Liberian youth with practical skills and reducing the country’s dependence on foreign technical expertise.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed Tappita Vocational Training Institute (TVTI) brought together local leaders, educators, community residents, and development stakeholders, all of whom hailed the initiative as a major milestone in advancing technical and vocational education in Liberia.
Speaking at the event, Vice President Koung emphasized that the future of Liberia’s economic growth depends largely on its ability to train and empower a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of key sectors, including mining, agriculture, healthcare, construction, and technology.
He noted that despite the presence of major investment projects across the country, many companies continue to recruit foreign technicians and skilled workers because qualified Liberians are often unavailable to fill critical positions.
“The time has come for Liberians to take ownership of the opportunities being created in our own country,” Vice President Koung declared. “This institution will help prepare our young people with the technical and vocational skills necessary to compete, innovate, and lead.”
In a strong show of personal commitment to the project, the Vice President donated 1,000 bags of cement toward the construction of the institute and announced that he would cover the enrollment fees of the first 100 students admitted when the institution begins operations.
The gesture was greeted with applause from residents and community leaders, many of whom described it as a practical demonstration of support for youth empowerment and education.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Employment
For her part, TVTI President Dr. Yah Donlah Gonway Gono characterized the project as a historic breakthrough for Tappita, Nimba County, and Liberia as a whole.
She explained that the institution was established in response to the growing disconnect between formal education and the labor market, noting that thousands of young Liberians leave school each year without the technical skills required by employers.
According to Dr. Gono, the vocational institute will focus on producing graduates equipped with hands-on competencies that can immediately translate into employment opportunities and entrepreneurship.
“Technical and vocational education is not an alternative to development—it is a catalyst for development,” she said. “This institution will help create jobs, strengthen local industries, and empower young people to contribute meaningfully to national growth.”
She added that the institute is expected to become a center of excellence for vocational education in the region, helping to address workforce shortages while promoting innovation and self-reliance among Liberian youth.
Educational Expansion for Lower Nimba
Also speaking, Nimba County District #6 Representative Dorwohn Twain Gleekia praised the initiative as a visionary investment that will expand educational opportunities for young people in Lower Nimba and surrounding communities.
Representative Gleekia revealed that the idea for the institution was conceived to provide practical alternatives for students who may not pursue traditional university education but possess the talent and ambition to excel in technical professions.
He said the project aligns with broader efforts to transform Lower Nimba into a hub for quality education, workforce development, and economic advancement.
The lawmaker also commended members of the Liberian diaspora and local stakeholders whose contributions helped turn the vision into reality.
Community Donates 50 Acres for Project
In a significant demonstration of local support, authorities of the Tappita Administrative District presented a deed for 50 acres of land to serve as the permanent site for the institute’s campus.
Community leaders described the land donation as an investment in future generations and a reflection of their commitment to educational development.
The proposed campus is expected to feature modern training facilities, workshops, classrooms, and student support services designed to provide world-class vocational instruction.
A New Chapter for Workforce Development
As Liberia continues to confront high youth unemployment and a shortage of skilled labor, education advocates believe the Tappita Vocational Training Institute could play a pivotal role in preparing a new generation of technicians, artisans, entrepreneurs, and professionals capable of driving economic transformation.
Once completed, the institute is expected to become one of the country’s most significant vocational education centers, helping to strengthen Liberia’s human capital base while opening new pathways to employment and economic opportunity for thousands of young people.
For many residents of Tappita and beyond, the groundbreaking ceremony marked more than the launch of a construction project—it signaled the beginning of a long-term investment in the skills, talents, and future of Liberia’s youth.
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