Othello S. Nimely
House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon has called for increased national support for technical and vocational education, saying Liberia’s development depends on a skilled workforce as much as on university graduates.
Speaking as keynote speaker at the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) graduation ceremony held at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Monrovia over the weekend, Koon challenged the belief that vocational education is only for those who fail to pursue higher academic studies.
The ceremony honored more than 359 graduates, including 350 students who completed technical and vocational programs and nine graduates who earned degrees in Engineering Computer Science.
Koon said vocational education should be viewed as a pathway to opportunity rather than a second choice, noting that many university graduates later seek technical training to gain practical skills that improve their employment prospects and livelihoods.
The speaker stressed that no nation can achieve meaningful progress through politics alone, pointing out that skilled professionals such as electricians, mechanics, plumbers, builders, technicians, and agricultural workers are essential to national growth and development.
According to the Speaker, technical and vocational education equips young people with marketable skills, enabling them to become entrepreneurs, create jobs, reduce unemployment, and contribute to the country’s economic transformation.
Addressing the graduates, Koon encouraged them to continue developing their expertise while maintaining honesty, professionalism, and integrity throughout their careers. He said a person’s reputation and character often open more doors than qualifications alone, urging them to deliver quality work that earns public trust.
He also reminded the graduates that respect comes from honest labor rather than appearance or job title, emphasizing that every profession deserves dignity when it contributes positively to society.
Koon reaffirmed the Legislature’s commitment to supporting policies that will strengthen and expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across Liberia.
He said making TVET more accessible is critical to meeting the country’s workforce demands and advancing national development.
The Speaker however congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to use the knowledge and practical skills they have gained to create employment opportunities, support national progress, and serve as responsible ambassadors of their professions.
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