Kakata, Margibi County – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), through the European Union and Government of Sweden-funded Youth Rising project joined the Government of Liberia, along with other partners, including Agence Française de Développement (AFD), IECD, UNFPA, BRAC Liberia, SOS Children’s Villages Liberia, and CENTAL, to mark International Youth Day 2025 with an inspiring celebration centered on skills, innovation, and opportunity. 

Held on August 12 at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) in Kakata, the event brought together young people from all 15 counties under the theme: “Empowering Young Liberians through Innovation, Partnerships, and Community Action.” The day’s centerpiece was the Liberia Skills Competition – National Edition 2025, which spotlighted the power of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to transform lives and strengthen Liberia’s workforce. 

Thirteen TVET institutions across Liberia competed in six trade categories, including Carpentry, Welding & Fabrication, Automotive, Fashion Technology, Agriculture, and Electrical – showcasing precision, creativity, and problem-solving at the highest level. First-place honors were awarded in Carpentry to Harbel Multilateral High School, in Welding & Fabrication to William V.S. Tubman High School, in Automotive to Booker Washington Institute, in Fashion Technology to Voinjama Multilateral High School, in Agriculture to Booker Washington Institute, and in Electrical to Zwedru Multilateral High School.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Anna Brzozowska, Team Lead for Political and Economic Governance Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Liberia, reaffirmed the EU’s long-term commitment to TVET, describing it as a cornerstone of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy to create jobs and economic resilience. 

“We are committed to investing in TVET because we want to give people jobs. We would like to see people taking care of themselves and contributing to Liberia’s growth,” Dr. Brzozowska said. 

Deputy Gender Minister Atty. Laura Golakeh, delivering the keynote address, challenged the nation to break down systemic barriers that hinder youth potential, calling for greater investment in skills and innovation to fight unemployment and social exclusion. 

UNIDO’s Deputy Project Manager for the “Youth Rising” project, Mr. Anthony A. Nimely, emphasized that the initiative, funded by the EU and the Government of Sweden, is dedicated to preparing young Liberians for the job market through demand-driven skills training. 

“We’ve come to give skills to young people, ensuring they can transition from the classroom into productive careers,” Nimely noted. 

Representatives from partner organizations, including UNFPA, IECD, and CRS, echoed the call for youth to take initiative and seize opportunities to lead change in their communities. 

Youth and Sports Minister Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu also announced the deployment of 150 young people into the National Service Program, a partnership with UNDP aimed at creating employment pathways. Participants described the experience as life-changing. “This is my first time competing at a national level, and it has motivated me to work even harder in my trade,” said Asata AM Balde, Fashion Technology competitor from Voinjama Multilateral High School. 

“This is my fourth win in the competition, and it has taught me that my electrical skills can open real job opportunities for me. I’m now more confident about my future,” added Jerryneka B. Kuo, Electrical competitor from Zwedru Multilateral High School.

Winners in each category were honored, but the event’s real achievement was showcasing how skills, innovation, and determination are powering a brighter future for Liberia.

This year’s International Youth Day celebration demonstrated how strategic partnerships between the Government of Liberia and development partners can turn policy commitments into tangible opportunities. The Liberia Skills Competition was not just a contest; it was a showcase of the nation’s future workforce and a testament to the transformative impact of sustained investment in skills development.