Liberia: – ArcelorMittal, the largest foreign direct investment in Liberia since the end of the war, is pioneering a vocational education initiative aimed at addressing the country’s alarming rates of youth unemployment.
Over the years, ArcelorMittal has invested more than $8 million in the ArcelorMittal Training Academy located in Yekepa Town, Nimba County.
The academy is designed to train young Liberians in various technical vocational fields crucial for employment in industries such as mining.
The academy offers internationally recognized certificates in disciplines including Electricity, Welding, Plant Mechanics, Diesel Mechanics, and now Instrumentation.
Instrumentation training equips students with the skills to install, maintain, and repair industrial devices used to measure and control variables like temperature, pressure, and flow.
Prospective students undergo rigorous assessments in English, Math, Science, and their chosen vocational field before enrollment.
If it’s determined that a student would excel in a different discipline, they are transferred accordingly.
Accepted students are provided with accommodation, three meals a day, and a modest allowance while studying at the academy.
The curriculum focuses on real-world requirements in technical mining industries, preparing students for the workforce.
Toward the end of their training, students are sent for internships in departments aligned with their specialization. Upon completion, they are either hired or placed on standby for immediate employment when vacancies arise.
The concept of the ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy emerged from the recognition that many Liberians, including college graduates, lacked the technical expertise demanded by the mining industry, which has significant employment potential.
