By: Ben TC Brooks
River Gee County | Feb. 28, 2026 | The River Gee Vocational and Technical Training Institute – RGVTTI, is poised to celebrate a historic milestone as it prepares to graduate more than 300 students from its inaugural cohort this April.
According to the Institute’s Public Relations Officer, Bobby Franklin Winn, the first-ever commencement ceremony is proposed for April 25, 2026, in Fish-Town, River Gee County.
He said the event mark a completion of an intensive 18-month academic and hands-on technical training program designed to equip students with practical and marketable skills.
Winn disclosed that students across various departments have successfully fulfilled both theoretical and practical components of their studies in multiple technical and vocational disciplines.
He added, that as part of RGVTTI’s workforce readiness strategy, the graduates have already been deployed to reputable institutions and organizations across Liberia for internship placements.
The Vocational Training Institution PRO also said the school internship program is currently underway, provides real-world industry exposure and is intended to strengthen the students’ professional competencies ahead of their formal graduation.
The Institute has drawn students from several counties, including Grand Bassa, Grand Kru, Maryland, Grand Gedeh, and its host county, River Gee.
While on the internship, the prospective graduates have reportedly been asked to pay a US$75 graduation fee in preparation for the April ceremony as some students have sharply described the fee as burdensome, citing Liberia’s current economic challenges.
The students are appealing to the administration to review and possibly reduce the amount to make participation more affordable, while the school administration has not publicly addressed the matter.
However, like all vocational institutions in Liberia, RGVTTI operates in alignment with the 2022 Liberia National TVET Qualification Framework – LNTQF, which outlines seven certification levels ranging from foundational training to bachelor’s degree equivalency.
Oversight and quality assurance fall under the supervision of the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau – AITB.
The Bureau evaluates institutions based on planning, governance, staff development, training management, funding, and business development standards.
RGVTTI was established following legislation introduced in 2019 by then District 3 Representative Francis Dopoh of River Gee County.
The bill was enacted into law in 2020, laying the foundation for expanded access to technical and vocational education in southeastern Liberia.
However, prior to the full rollout of academic activities, AITB conducted training sessions for RGVTTI staff to strengthen the implementation of its Technical and Vocational Education and Training – TVET programs.
The Bureau has pledged continued technical support and periodic assessments to ensure quality delivery nationwide.
The AITB Institute currently offers 13 trade programs, including General Agriculture – rice, oil palm, vegetables, piggery, poultry, and root crops, General Construction, Carpentry, Masonry, Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Tailoring, and Auto Mechanics.
However, the upcoming graduation represents a significant step forward for skills development in River Gee County and the region at large, as the Institute continues efforts to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and industry practice.
Further details about the graduation ceremony and participating partners are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
