Download logoA new Liberian National Hospitality Training Center at the Business and Domestic Occupational Training Center (BDOTC) was inaugurated in Monrovia, Liberia as part of efforts to strengthen youth skills development. Constructed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with funding from the European Union (EU) under the Youth Rising Project and equipped by the International Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD) through the STRIVE Project, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the center is expected to strengthen Liberia's hospitality and tourism workforce and create pathways to decent employment for thousands of young Liberians. Liberian Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung inaugurated the new National Hospitality Training Center at the Business and Domestic Occupational Training Center (BDOTC), describing the facility as a strategic investment in Liberia's human capital and a significant step toward expanding opportunities for young people through technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Vice President Koung emphasized that investments in skills development remain critical to job creation, economic growth, and national transformation. He reaffirmed the country's commitment to strengthening technical and vocational education as a cornerstone of Liberia's development agenda, noting that the modern facility represents hope and opportunity for young people seeking practical skills in the country's growing hospitality and tourism sectors. The center will provide hands-on training in hospitality management, tourism services, food preparation, accommodation management, and other industry-related disciplines, equipping students with the practical competencies required by the labor market. Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia W. Kruah highlighted the centre’s role in bridging the gap between education and employment by providing market-oriented skills that respond directly to industry demands. She described the facility as a model for future technical and vocational education initiatives across Liberia. Education Minister Jarso Maley Jallah praised the collaboration between the Government of Liberia and its development partners, describing the project as evidence of what can be achieved through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to youth empowerment. "We are changing the narrative of technical vocational education in Liberia," Minister Jallah said. "It is no longer an alternative pathway but a gateway to innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity." She also highlighted Liberia's vast tourism potential, noting that strategic investments in hospitality infrastructure and workforce development could unlock significant economic benefits and position tourism as a key driver of national development. Virpi Stucki, Chief of the Fair Production, Sustainability and Trade Division at UNIDO, described the handover ceremony as more than the inauguration of a building. "Today is a celebration of partnership, commitment, and our shared belief in the potential of Liberia's young people," she said. Stucki acknowledged the contributions of the European Union, AFD, IECD and the Government of Liberia in making the project a reality, emphasizing that sustainable development requires collective action and long-term investment in people. She noted that while the European Union financed the construction of the center through the Youth Rising Project, other partners provided equipment, technical expertise, and institutional support to ensure that the facility becomes a center of excellence for hospitality training. The National Hospitality Training Center forms part of UNIDO's broader efforts, in partnership with the Government of Liberia and international donors, to strengthen technical and vocational education, improve learning environments, and expand economic opportunities for young people across Liberia.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
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