01/06/2026
BDOTC Celebrates 19th Graduation Ceremony, Honors Over 200 Graduates
The Business & Domestic Occupational Training Center (BDOTC) celebrated its 19th Graduation Ceremony on Friday, honoring more than 200 students who completed various technical and vocational training programs.
The event brought together government officials, educators, development partners, students, and family members to celebrate the achievements of the graduates and recognize BDOTC’s continued contribution to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Liberia.
Delivering a special statement on behalf of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah, Deputy Minister for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Hon. Laraamond S. Nyonton, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening vocational education across the country through reforms centered on accountability, transparency, quality training, and improved service delivery.
Hon. Nyonton disclosed that the Ministry is actively working to revitalize and reopen several vocational training centers, including the TUTUMU Vocational Training Center, while discussions continue regarding the reopening and expansion of facilities in Clay and Zwedru.
He further noted that the 19th graduating class is the first cohort to benefit from BDOTC’s newly renovated facilities, a transformation made possible through the support of key development partners, including the European Union and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
As part of efforts to align training opportunities with emerging market demands, Hon. Nyonton announced plans to expand BDOTC’s program offerings to include fashion design, beauty therapy, cake decoration, event management, tourism, and hospitality. He emphasized that these additions will equip students with relevant entrepreneurial and professional skills needed to compete in today’s job market.
The Deputy Minister congratulated the graduates on their achievement and commended the institution’s management and instructors for their unwavering dedication to vocational and technical education.
Also speaking on behalf of the Director General of the Liberia National Tourism Authority, Hon. Princess Iwa Cooper, Madam Juanita Y. Yiah highlighted the critical role of tourism, hospitality, and TVET in advancing Liberia’s national development agenda.
Madam Yiah noted that the tourism and hospitality sectors possess enormous potential to create employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and empower young people through practical skills development. She praised institutions such as BDOTC for preparing young Liberians for careers in tourism, customer service, hospitality management, and other vocational disciplines.
According to her, strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training remains essential to building a skilled and professional workforce that supports the growth and competitiveness of Liberia’s tourism industry.
She encouraged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired with professionalism, integrity, and excellence, to remain disciplined, innovative, and committed to using their skills to create opportunities for themselves and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s socioeconomic transformation and the nation’s development.
