By: Morlu F. Freeman Sr.
In a significant effort to enhance participation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the government of Sweden, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), conducted a three-day stakeholders workshop in Voinjama, Lofa County. This initiative aims to empower women and vulnerable groups, promoting greater inclusion in vocational training.
The TVET vocational institution is pivotal in fostering career development, particularly for women and those from marginalized backgrounds. The workshop underscored several specific objectives designed to bolster TVET engagement in the region:
- Increase the visibility of TVET’s benefits.
- Engage stakeholders across various sectors.
- Improve participation, especially among women and vulnerable groups.
- Ensure effective information flow regarding TVET opportunities.
- Strengthen collaboration between TVET institutions and the private sector.
- Promote TVET in conventional academic schools.
Catherine Naserian, the Gender and Civil Society Advisor for UNIDO in Liberia, emphasized the necessity of developing communication strategies aimed at overcoming gender-related barriers in TVET. She highlighted the importance of encouraging females to utilize the resources of the TVET vocational training institution, regardless of their socio-economic status.
T. Mark Korpu, a Communication and Feasibility Expert, also contributed insights on fostering female inclusion. His presentation focused on the creation of inclusive communication tools, allowing rural participants to identify barriers to TVET access and collaboratively devise solutions. Korpu noted that the workshop’s objective is to inspire students and stakeholders to develop sustainable ideas for enhancing the TVET institution at the Voinjama Multilateral High School (VMHS) through the support of the Swedish government and UNIDO.
Participants actively contributed to the development of inclusive communication messages and tools reflecting gender equality and diversity in TVET. Key points raised during discussions included the identification of barriers faced by prospective students:
- Tuition fees associated with TVET programs.
- Lack of awareness about TVET benefits and opportunities.
- The need for the expansion of TVET institutions across the county.
The overall aim of the workshop is to empower women and girls to seize opportunities within the vocational training system and foster a more inclusive career-learning environment throughout the region.
