Liberia: Kaipay Partners With Humanity First for Vocational Training in Grand Bassa

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Humanity First is also expected to make immense contribution to the implementation of the project by covering fees, but the youths were also encouraged to make contribution to their tuition payments

(File Photo) Humanity First training centre in Monrovia, Liberia, offers a
wide range of courses in engineering and technical trades 

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | NZ Desk
Source/Credit: Front Page Africa
By Alpha Daffae Senkpeni | August 2, 2016

Grand Bassa County — Grand Bassa Senator, Jonathan L. Kaipay, on Monday, August 1 signed an agreement with Humanity First Ahmadiyya Vocational College for the establishment of a technical vocational school in District #1, Grand Bassa County.

The agreement was signed in front of hundreds of youth on Compound One with several people including Representative Hans Barchue promising to fully support the skills training initiative. Over 350 youths in the district are expected to benefit when the training kicks off early September this year.

Speaking minutes before the signing, Senator Kaipay said the preparation for the partnership was based on discussions held years ago when he worked with the United Methodist Church's development projects, adding that the vocational training project will be a technical mobile college offering intense six months training in mechanic, carpentry, and general construction, auto electronic and plumbing amongst others.

"The school is a complete academic; it's not about politics," Sen. Kaipay clarified to the audience. "It's an opportunity. Whether you like Hon. Barchue or not, or you like Senator Kaipay or not, it's going to give you skill. So we don't want people to politicize it here."

further warned the youth to avoid politics and focus on building their human resource capacity which will prepare them for the job market, while announcing an initial budget of US$15,000 for tuition.

Humanity First is also expected to make immense contribution to the implementation of the project by covering fees, but the youths were also encouraged to make contribution to their tuition payments - something which the benefactors say will ensure the students contribute to their own education.

"To earn an education or skill, you have to work for it. So we want to challenge you as we open this technical training to take advantage," he said.

For his part, the Principal of the Humanity First Vocational College, Mansoor Ahmad Nasir, described the partnership as a 'noble task', while thanking Sen. Kaipay for exerting efforts for the success of the partnership, terming it as 'highly admirable'.

Meanwhile the Project Director, Sabeel Nasir, said youth will not be the burden of the society if they obtained vocational skills. Nasir promised to extend their vocational training services across the country, having already established vocational schools in other parts of the country, and also motivated youths to exert efforts in order to make the training project successful.

Deputy House Speaker Hans Barchue, the direct representative of the district, encouraged youth to take advantage of the opportunity, stressing that there are Liberians with college degrees that are jobless.

"Liberia is now transitioning from the position of academic to technical where you will be sitting down with your BSc... , the carpenter will be there doing his job and making money and you will be there sitting with your BSc," Hon. Barchue said.

Banks feel cheated when homeowners do this. If you own a home and...
"Skills will be the way forward," he added; "So I want to encourage you to take advantage."

Promising to provide financial assistance to some students, he warned: "If I pay for you and you don't go and complete the course; you'll give my money back."

He, meanwhile, advised the trainers to focus on the practical aspect of the training since many youth in the area have limited academic education in order to realize the full objective of the vocational project.

Development is Now - Says Kaipay

Kaipay, who has heralded a slogan 'Development is Now' and has been implementing several feeder road projects across the county, insists Grand Bassa can only develop if the county has technically skilled youthful population that are ready to take on jobs when companies are offering opportunities.

"If you don't have the skill, you will be security... , what we need to develop this county is technical skills ... (because) when you develop your skills, it will be for yourself," he said.



He also disclosed that the program will run for one year and will be implemented in circles before being extended to other districts in the coming years with the objective of ensuring that young people in the county are educated with vocational skills. He added that a local administrative team will be set up to work with the trainers and Humanity First Ahmadiyya Vocational College.

Youth Excited about Project

As the project prepares to resume in the coming weeks, many youth, desperate for vocational skills, say the project has risen their hopes.

Emmanuel Scott, a college dropout who spoke during the signing, said they are excited about the project and will utilized it to the fullest. "People have condemned us and say we are not qualified but this is a means of preparing ourselves for the job market," he said.

"Some people are educated but they are not doing anything, so we want to express our happiness for this opportunity you people have brought for us to be trained," added Hannah Garway, speaking on behalf of females attending the program.

And warning the youth about taking the project seriously, an elder speaking at the program called on them to put the training into use for the betterment of their children and the development of District One, saying: "If you don't do something you will become palm cutters."


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