By S. Kannay Ziamo, Nimba County Correspondent
GANTA, May 18 (LINA) – Arcelor Mittal Liberia (AML), as part of its efforts to support the government of Liberia in providing technical and vocational education to Liberians, has graduated 45 students in four technical disciplines.
The graduates completed three years of intensive technical and vocational training and successfully completed international standard examinations and received certificates and diplomas to certify that they (students) have satisfactorily completed their respective courses as prescribed by the government of Liberia.
Over the three years period, AMLTA provided professional training for the students in Electricity, Diesel MechanicS, Boiler Maker and Planting Fitter.
The colorful event, which many believe is a milestone achievement for the company, was held at the weekend in the company’s concession town of Yekepa in Nimba County.
Liberia’s Education Minister, Prof. D. Ansu Sonii served as Commencement and Convocation Speaker and challenged the graduates in particular and young Liberians in to “always seize any opportunity that avails itself to acquire education and stressed the need for the government and partners to focus more on investing in TVET education.
He said that investing in the TVET sector is critical as, according to him, it greatly supports the government of Liberia’s development agenda – the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), which places focus on the creation of opportunities for young people.
“Technical and Vocational education is the key to national development. The TVET sector needs to be considered; we need a radical approach to doing that,” Prof. Sonii emphasized.
He underscored the need for capacity-building through technical and vocational education and training at the professional level and noted that that would serve as an “effective strategy to empower young Liberians to lead the industrialization of their beloved country”.
According to him, employers of now-a-days are vigorously searching for skilled technicians and as such, Arcelor-Mittal, through its technical training institution and that AML is taking the initiative to train Liberians is something that is worth commendation and must not be ignored.
He challenged other TVET actors to emulate the examples of Arcelor-Mittal by offering “high-quality” technical and vocational skills.
“No education and under-education are equal threats to employment and performance of the economy. The PAPD of the CDC-led government headed by President George Weah has placed a focus on the creation of opportunities for young people. Therefore, we are here to celebrate the first fruit of the Arcelor-Mittal Liberia initiative,”\ Minister Sonii said.
For his part, AML Chief Operation Officer (COO) and acting CEO Johannes Heystek stated that investing in human resource development is a strategic approach that does not only empower Liberians, but strengthens AML as a responsible company.
According to him, AML’s investment in its vocational and technical training academy represents an investment in young people and the future of Liberia.
The AML top executive disclosed that his company is considering the expansion of the Vocation Training Center (VTC) into a training academy with a vision to offer advanced technical training, as well as supervisory, processing control and operation training.
“This is not only for the benefit of AML’s expansion project, but the country at large,” he said.
Top officials of Arcelor-Mittal the Liberia government as well as family members and well-wishers of the graduates graced the event.
Several graduates, current students, and trainers of the VTC were awarded for their outstanding performance and commitment over the last three years.
They received trophies and awards in various categories ranging from: Best 2020 Apprentice Technical Certificate Level 1 Award, Best 2020 Apprentice Technical Certificate Level 2 Award, Goal Getter Award, Coach of the Year Award, Sports Person of the Year Award, Most Improved Electrical Apprentice Award, among others.
Launched in 2018, the Arcelor-Mittal Liberia Vocational Training Center (VTC) in Yekepa, now the Arcelor-Mittal Training Academy is a US$7 million investment by the company to provide improved technical, educational opportunities in several disciplines for young Liberians to enhance the workforce and economic development for a prosperous Liberia.
