The 55th House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to establish the Gbarzon Vocational and Technical Institute (GVTI) in Grand Gedeh County, forwarding the proposed legislation to the Liberian Senate for concurrence.
The bill, submitted by Representative Jacob C. Debee of Electoral District #3, Grand Gedeh County, was endorsed by Plenary following the presentation and adoption of a report from the House Committee on Education and Public Administration.
In its report, the Committee concluded that establishing the institute would significantly expand access to technical and vocational education in southeastern Liberia, equip young people with practical and marketable skills, and contribute to reducing youth unemployment.
According to the Committee, Grand Gedeh County continues to face limited access to public technical and vocational education despite its growing population and economic potential in agriculture, construction, mining, forestry, and small business development.
Lawmakers were informed that the proposed institution would help bridge the skills gap by producing graduates trained in fields such as agriculture, electrical installation, plumbing, welding, auto mechanics, information technology, carpentry, masonry, tailoring, entrepreneurship, and renewable energy technology.
The Committee further observed that the proposed institute would not only serve residents of Gbarzon District but would also provide educational opportunities for students from neighboring districts and counties across southeastern Liberia.
Following deliberations, Plenary adopted the Committee’s recommendation, effectively endorsing the bill and ordering its transmission to the Liberian Senate for concurrence, in keeping with the country’s legislative process.
If concurred with by the Senate and subsequently signed into law by the President, the Gbarzon Vocational and Technical Institute will become a public technical and vocational institution dedicated to workforce development, skills training, and entrepreneurship education.
Representative Debee has maintained that the establishment of the institute is intended to provide young people in Grand Gedeh and surrounding communities with greater access to quality technical education, helping prepare them for employment and self-reliance while supporting the country’s broader human capital development agenda.
