By: Peter Kollie| Lofa County Correspondent
Zorzor, Lofa County – Monday, May 05, 2025-Over 30 young Liberians graduated from the Baleylabo Professional Skills Training Program in Zorzor over the weekend, gaining hands-on skills in fields such as catering and interior decoration. The initiative is aimed at empowering youth through vocational training and reducing unemployment in the country.
The graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone for the program, which was founded in 2019 by Jerry B. Howard, the CEO and Chief Executive Officer. To date, the institution has trained and graduated more than 2,000 individuals across five counties: Lofa, Bong, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Gbarpolu.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Howard emphasized the importance of vocational education as a path to self-reliance and sustainability, particularly for high school and university graduates struggling to find jobs.
“I saw the need to transform the lives of fellow Liberians, especially those who have completed high school but have no access to higher education. Even those with degrees are not finding jobs,” he said. “Hands-on skills give them a better chance at making a living while they seek for other opportunities.”
He expressed excitement at seeing another batch of students complete the training and called on local leaders to support the program’s expansion in Lofa County. According to Howard, with the right backing, the initiative can reach more young people and have a greater impact.
“We want people to see the results and know that their time here is not wasted,” he added.
Guest Speaker Encourages Youth Participation
Guest speaker Alvin Wahma also underscored the significance of vocational training in communities like Zorzor. He said the goal of introducing such a program was to ensure that young people become self-supportive.
“Not everyone has the means to pursue formal education,” Wahma noted. “Vocational skills can serve as a reliable backup and a path to success.”
He encouraged the graduates to remain humble and respectful as they step into the workforce, urging them to put their skills to good use.
“We hope to see more graduations like this,” he said. “We’ll continue to encourage more young people to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Graduates Share Their Stories
Several graduates shared their experiences and the impact the program had on their lives. Kolu Goovi, who studied catering, said she joined the training because although she already had experience in the field, she lacked formal certification.
“I had learned catering long ago, but I didn’t have any documents to prove my skills. When this program launched in Zorzor, I saw it as a chance to build on what I already knew,” she said.
Goovi noted that she started training on January 13, 2025, and learned not only how to prepare various pastries but also how to handle customer relations professionally.
“There were challenges, especially working in a group of women — sometimes we disagreed — but we always found a way to work together as a team,” she said.
Goovi now plans to launch her own catering business and encouraged other women to take advantage of the training opportunity.
Another graduate, Peter Zarwu, who studied interior decoration, said he was inspired to join the program after realizing that residents in Zorzor often had to bring decorators from Monrovia for events.
“I saw that people were paying a lot of money for decorators to come from Monrovia, so I decided to learn the skill and help fill that gap,” Zarwu explained.
He acknowledged facing financial challenges during the training, particularly when students had to purchase materials. Despite that, he remained committed and is now ready to start his own business, calling on well-wishers for support in acquiring necessary materials.
Zarwu urged other young people in the region to embrace vocational education, describing it as a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.
As the Baleylabo Professional Skills Training Program looks to expand its reach and course offerings, organizers hope to see more young Liberians empowered through skills training, paving the way for a self-reliant and economically stable future.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
