In a move to expand technical and vocational education in Nimba County and strengthen Liberia’s skilled workforce, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has officially launched and broken ground for the US$12.7 million Tappita Vocational Training Institute (TVTI) project.
Speaking at the ceremony in Tappita, Vice President Koung underscored the critical role of technical and vocational education in addressing the country’s shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the mining, agriculture, health, and construction sectors.
The Vice President noted that many companies operating in Liberia are forced to hire foreign technicians due to the lack of qualified local personnel and urged young people to seize the opportunities the institution will provide.
To support the project, VP Koung donated 1,000 bags of cement for the campus construction and pledged to pay the enrollment fees of the first 100 students who register.
Also speaking, TVTI President Dr. Yah Donlah Gonway Gono described the project as a historic milestone for Tappita, Nimba County, and Liberia. She said the institution was established to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping young people with practical skills needed in the job market.
Dr. Gono further stressed that technical and vocational education remains a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and national development.
Meanwhile, Nimba County District #6 Representative Dorwohn Twain Gleekia hailed the initiative as a major step toward expanding educational opportunities for young people. He said the project was conceived to provide an alternative path to education in Lower Nimba and to advance the vision of making the region a center of quality learning. He also praised local and diaspora supporters for helping transform the vision into reality.
In a show of support, the leadership of the Tappita Administrative District presented a deed for 50 acres of land for the construction of the proposed US$12.7 million TVTI campus project. The institute is expected to play a vital role in developing a skilled workforce, creating opportunities for young people, and contributing to Liberia’s long-term economic growth and development.
