Kakata, Liberia – Automotive students at the Booker Washington Institute BWI on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, handed over a second-hand vehicle to the Automotive Department of the institution. The vehicle was handed over to strengthen hands-on practical training initiative complementing a new training vehicle already provided by the European Union (EU) through the Youth Rising Project.

Since 2018, the European Union (EU), through its support to Liberia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector under the Youth Rising project implemented by UNIDO, has been working with TVET institutions across the country to renovate facilities, train instructors, and equip workshops and learning environments. This support aims to improve the delivery of high-quality, demand-driven TVET in Liberia. As part of this effort, the EU donated a vehicle along with hand tools to several workshops, including BWI’s Automotive Department. However, with 42 students in the senior automotive class of the institution’s Post-Secondary Professional Programme (PSPP), one vehicle was not considered sufficient to meet their training needs.

In response, the students took the initiative to raise funds and provide an additional vehicle, as part of their senior class, “Problem and Project Based Learning activity. The class of 42 students organized themselves, raised about USD 800, purchased a non-running vehicle, and repaired it between March and June 2025. The fully restored vehicle was officially handed over to the department during a brief ceremony on campus.

“As senior students of the automotive department, we are tasked with carrying out a project and leaving it behind as a legacy for our class,” said Julie M. Soe. “We met as a class, discussed, and agreed to carry out this project purchasing and repairing a vehicle.”

Julie added that the project brought the class closer together. “We faced many challenges during the repair process because the vehicle had several issues, especially with the engine cylinder head gasket, lights, oil system, engine and brakes. But we worked together as a team, stayed focused, and today we’re proud to say we solved all these problems and turned it over to the department.”

“During our first year, we didn’t even have a proper workshop, our practical activities were done outside in the sun,” said Samuel P. Borbor, a senior student and chair of the class project committee. “But today, thanks to the EU, we now have a workshop, tools, and a brand-new vehicle. All of this motivated us as students to do our part. Now we have two vehicles for training instead of one, and that makes a big difference. It makes us happy to apply everything we’ve learned. The project gave me an opportunity to use an electronic fault scanning machine supplied to the department by the EU project”

The project was implemented under BWI’s Problem and Project Based Learning approach, which encourages students to identify real-world challenges and develop practical solutions as part of their education.

Instructors at BWI praised the students’ initiative as a reflection of both their growth and the effectiveness of the hands-on approach.

“The confidence I had in these students has been justified, especially when it comes to training them in automotive technology,” said Mr. John Charlie, an automotive instructor. “The fact that they selected and completed this project themselves is a dream come true for me, especially seeing them work on a live engine.”

“I loved the way the students cooperated and worked as a team,” said Mr. Worlubah Mulbah, another automotive instructor. “Sharing ideas and solving problems together were some of the many skills they demonstrated during this project. It shows appreciation, teamwork, and responsibility. Qualities I believe every good technician should have.”

The EU’s contribution through the Youth Rising project implemented by UNIDO has played a major role in improving TVET learning environments across Liberia. Equipment, tools, teacher training, and updated curricula have been delivered to institutions like BWI, helping to build a stronger and more skilled workforce.

With the student restored vehicle now added to the department’s resources, future automotive students at BWI are better equipped for hands-on learning and job readiness.

“We hope to replicate this kind of project with future cohorts,” said Mr. Charlie. “It allows students to apply their skills using our problem-solving approach and proves beyond reasonable doubt that they are ready for the job market.”