German Gov’t, EU Funded GVTC dedicated …As Temporary Campus graduates 16 Students

The Gateway Vocational Training Center (GVTC), a technical and vocational training institution funded by the German Government through GIZ and the European Union has been formally dedicated upon completion.

Situated in Bentol City, Montserrado County, GVTC, which has the capacity of enrolling up to 50 students with boarding facilities, was officially dedicated Monday, May 6, 2024 and was graced by top officials of government and the diplomatic community.

Program marking the official opening of the new facility was held jointly with the graduation ceremony of 16 students from its temporary facility in Sinkor.

Speaking at the opening and graduation ceremonies, GIZ Country Director Mr. Raphael Frerking described the new campus of GVTC as a state-of-the-art facility that endeavors to deliver quality vocational education to Liberians, most especially the youthful population.

He said the graduates will in turn be economically potent to make meaningful contribution to society.

He explained that the establishment of the GVTC was funded by the EU and German government under the ‘TVET by the Private Sector in Liberia’ project and implemented by GIZ under its Capacity Development in the Transport Sector (CDTS) project.

In the wake of this landmark achievement, Frerking lauded the EU and the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, and partner ministries in Liberia including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their invaluable support and partnership towards this success.

According the GIZ Country Director, the GVTC will serve as a beacon of excellence and opportunity for the generations to come.

 “My sincere thanks also go out to the three founding associations of the GVTC – the Association of Liberian Construction Contractors, the Engineering Society of Liberia the Liberian Institute of Architects, GVTC Board of Directors and Management team for your vision, leadership and tireless dedication. It is through your commitment and passion that we have been able to create a training facility that will serve as a beacon of excellence and opportunity for the generations to come.”

He noted that the institution has the potential to transform lives and shape the future of Liberia positively.

German Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Dr. Jakob Haselhuber, said the institution is an excellent example of a private-public partner that is geared to bring transformation.

Underscoring the importance of technical and vocational training, the German envoy noted that TVET has enormous advantages such as the potential to promote economic growth with regards to boosting employability.

Ms. Nona Deprez, the Head of EU Delegation to Liberia, reaffirmed EU support to private sector TVET development.

She assured that EU will do this through the provision of funding to construct new campuses and for the training of teachers to enhance quality.

The EU Ambassador went on to urge the new graduates to serve as ambassadors of sustainability of the GVTC as they are the first example of the school.

 “The excellent displays and quality works by you; the graduates are the first guarantee of sustainability,” she added with a call to stakeholders promote gender equality in terms of trainees and trainers in TVET.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of GVTC, Madam Jocelia Tarplah, joined previous speakers to extol the meaningful contributions of the Association of Liberian Construction Contractors (ALCC), the Engineering Society of Liberia (ESoL) the Liberian Institute of Architects (LIA), and Firestone Liberia among others in different aspects.

The GVTC board chair informed the gathering that the new facility will serve as a hub of innovation, collaboration and excellence, with the assurance that the Board will ensure effective management of the new center.

 “It is a place where knowledge meets practice, where skills are honed, and where leaders of tomorrow are forged. This facility stands as a testament of our unwavering long-term commitment to fostering growth, nurturing talent, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential for years to come.”

Mr. Thomas Parker, Assistant Minister for Planning and Research at the Ministry of Education and Mr. Laraamand Shenkin Nyonton, Deputy Minister for TVET at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, pledged government’s commitment to supporting the TVET sector.

For his part, the Manager of GVTC, Mr. Abraham Wowah explained that the institution offers six months of institutional (on campus) training and six months of job attachment training.