By Jessica Cox
MONROVIA, Liberia Young women took center stage at this year’s graduation ceremony of the Business and Domestic Occupational Training Center (BDOTC), where 198 female graduates significantly outnumbered 15 male graduates, underscoring the growing role of women in Liberia’s technical and vocational education sector.
A total of 213 students completed training in various market-driven disciplines, including Front Office Management, Housekeeping, Tailoring, Fashion Design, Beauty Culture, Braiding and Weaving, Event Decoration, Event Planning and Management, and other vocational programs designed to enhance employability and entrepreneurship.
The graduation ceremony brought together government officials, development partners, educators, parents, and private-sector representatives to celebrate the achievements of the graduates and the increasing importance of technical and vocational education in addressing youth unemployment.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Prince C Kollie of the Front Office Management program described the occasion as a milestone that reflected months of hard work, sacrifice, and determination.
“We came here seeking skills, but we are leaving with confidence, professionalism, and the knowledge needed to compete in today’s workforce,” He said.
Kollie expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, BDOTC management, trainers, development partners, parents, and private institutions that provided internship opportunities and practical experience throughout the training period.
Representing the Youth and Sports Minister Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, Deputy Minister for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Hon. Laramand S. Nyonton reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering young people through skills development programs.
Nyonton announced plans to expand BDOTC’s training curriculum to include additional specialized courses such as Sugar Craft, Spa and Body Care, and advanced Event Decoration, among others, to better respond to changing labor market demands.
He also commended the graduates for their perseverance and encouraged them to use their newly acquired skills to create employment opportunities for themselves and others. “The future of Liberia depends on a skilled and productive youth population.
Technical and vocational education remains one of the most effective pathways to economic empowerment and self-reliance,” he said. Representing the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), Juanita Y. Yiah, speaking on behalf of Director General Princess A. Cooper, praised BDOTC for preparing young Liberians for careers within the country’s growing tourism and hospitality industries.
She noted that programs such as Front Office Management, Housekeeping, Event Decoration, and Food and Beverage Services directly support workforce needs within Liberia’s tourism sector. According to Yiah, the authority is exploring stronger partnerships with vocational institutions to provide internship opportunities and practical exposure for students pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism.
BDOTC management, while presenting the graduates, described the class as a reflection of the institution’s commitment to equipping young Liberians with practical and marketable skills. Administrators urged graduates to become innovators, entrepreneurs, and job creators capable of contributing to national development and reducing dependence on limited formal-sector employment opportunities.
The overwhelming female participation at this year’s graduation was widely viewed as a positive indicator of women’s economic empowerment and inclusion.
Stakeholders noted that increasing numbers of young women are turning to vocational and technical education as a pathway to financial independence, entrepreneurship, and professional advancement.
