TAPPITA, NIMBA COUNTY – Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has officially commissioned and broken ground for the construction of the US$12.7 million Tappita Vocational Training Institute (TVTI) in Nimba County, a move signaling a major step toward strengthening technical and vocational education in Liberia.
The project, which is expected to expand access to practical skills training for young Liberians, follows the passage of legislation by the National Legislature and its subsequent signing into law by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
During the groundbreaking and commissioning ceremony in Tappita, Vice President Koung described the institute as a critical investment in Liberia’s future workforce, noting that it would help address the shortage of skilled labor across several key sectors of the economy.
According to the Vice President, industries including mining, agriculture, health, and construction continue to face challenges due to the limited availability of trained Liberian professionals, forcing many companies to recruit foreign technicians.
He urged young people to take advantage of the opportunities the institution will provide, emphasizing that vocational and technical education remains essential to national development and economic empowerment.
As part of his commitment to the project, Vice President Koung donated 1,000 bags of cement to support ongoing construction efforts at the campus. He also announced that the government will cover registration fees for the first 100 students enrolled at the institution.
The Tappita Vocational Training Institute is expected to offer practical training in several technical disciplines, including electrical installation, plumbing, masonry, carpentry, information and communication technology (ICT), and other vocational trades aimed at improving employability among young people.
TVTI President, Dr. Yah Donlah Gonway Gono, described the establishment of the institution as a historic milestone for Tappita, Nimba County, and Liberia at large. She said the institute was designed to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping students with practical, marketable skills.
Dr. Gono further emphasized the importance of vocational and technical education in promoting job creation, economic growth, and sustainable national development.
Nimba County District #6 Representative Dorwohn Twain Gleekia hailed the initiative as a significant boost for educational opportunities in Lower Nimba. He noted that the institution would provide an alternative pathway to higher education while helping transform the region into a center for quality technical learning.
Representative Gleekia also commended residents and members of the diaspora for their contributions toward making the project a reality.
For their part, leaders of the Tappita Administrative District presented a 50-acre land deed for the construction of the institution’s campus.
When completed, the Tappita Vocational Training Institute is expected to play a pivotal role in developing a skilled workforce, creating employment opportunities for young Liberians, and advancing the country’s long-term economic development agenda.
