Minister Cornelia W. Kruah Engages TVET Stakeholders, Unveils Strategic Reforms to Strengthen Youth Employment Pathways

Minister Cornelia W. Kruah Engages TVET  Stakeholders, Unveils Strategic Reforms to Strengthen Youth Employment Pathways.
Youth and Sports Minister Atty Cornelia W. Kruah has met with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) stakeholders to present her vision for the sector and engage them in meaningful dialogue on the challenges and opportunities affecting TVET development in Liberia.
Speaking during the meeting at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Minister Kruah emphasized that one of the key mandates of her administration is to address youth unemployment and strengthen capacity development for young people. She noted that many of the Ministry’s programs and projects are centered on TVET and stressed that the Ministry’s overarching goal is to ensure that all departmental initiatives align with a viable and predictable pathway for youth empowerment and sustainable employment.
Minister Kruah disclosed that the Ministry’s Senior Management Team has approved the opening of a dedicated account for the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC). The Ministry's central administration and the MVTC will jointly manage the account. This measure is intended to grant MVTC semi-autonomy, strengthen its operational efficiency, and improve student support services.
She explained that, previously, all fees collected by MVTC were deposited into the Ministry’s general operational account. Under the new arrangement, funds generated by the center will be used exclusively for its development and will no longer be diverted to other Ministry operations. According to  Minister Kruah, the Ministry has formally written to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to facilitate the opening of the account within one to two weeks.
Reflecting on her initial visit to MVTC, Minister Kruah said she prioritized understanding the root causes of declining enrollment and low student retention. She revealed that many students struggle to afford the materials required for practical training, which often leads to dropouts. Transportation difficulties and concerns about the TVET sector's overall attractiveness and perception were also identified as major challenges.
To address these issues, the Minister announced that the Ministry will allocate a portion of its Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) Fund to supply training materials directly to students, eliminating the burden of students purchasing materials. As part of a sustainable strategy, she further indicated that MVTC will commercialize products produced by students during practical sessions, with proceeds reinvested into purchasing additional training materials.
On transportation, Minister Kruah stated that a portion of tuition fees previously earmarked for tool procurement will now be redirected to support student transportation once fees are paid. She also disclosed that discussions are ongoing between the Ministry and the National Transit Authority (NTA) to establish a Memorandum of Understanding that would allow MVTC students access to NTA buses for their daily commute.
The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment from the Ministry to work collaboratively with stakeholders to reposition the TVET sector as a credible, accessible, and sustainable pathway for youth development and national transformation.