Buchanan, Grand Bassa ArcelorMittal Liberia’s CEO Jozephus Coenen says the company recognizes the investment in the human capital of Liberians as fundamental for the success of its operations and urges young Liberians to prioritize education and acquire skills that will place them at the forefront, as the country moves forward with its development agenda.
Speaking on Thursday on the topic: “Youth Education as a Solid Solution to Ending Poverty and Economic Misery in Liberia” when he served as keynote speaker at the Grand Bassa University Students Assembly, Coenen said the youths are the vision bearers of the country’s transformation.
He stated that education was one of the best options to address the country’s economic woes and poverty. He said that it was against this background that the company has prioritised youth capacity and career growth.
“Educational attainment creates access to better wages and salaries and even better opportunities to advance yourself further. Quality education will take you places, improve the quality of your social and professional network and open new doors for you,” he said.
ArcelorMittal Liberia CEO, said that ArcelorMittal Liberia is leading in human capital development in Liberia, from providing scholarships for foreign college graduates to creating internship and vacation jobs and vocational and technical skills.
CEO Coenen also announced that to date, ArcelorMittal’s Advanced Academic Scholarship program has paid for and supported more than 50 Liberian students to study in various universities in the world, acquiring advanced degrees and returning to join the country’s professional workforce.
“Each year, our Young Professional Program (YPP) offers life-changing career development opportunities to young college graduates through an intensive internship program,” he added.
Coenen also spoke out about the 7 million US dollar investment made by ArcelorMittal Liberia for the establishment of Yekepa’s state-of-the art Vocational Training Center. The center is now known to be the AML Training Academy, or AMLTA. It has already graduated its 2nd batch of students.
All graduates of AMLTA have been given a chance to join the company’s workforce, a bold action, and a major boost to closing the gap in youth education and employment in Liberia.
The ArcelorMittal Liberia CEO assured of the company’s partnership with the government of Liberia to educate and train young people who continue to demonstrate immense talents and creativity in different spheres, but most especially in the technical and vocational fields.
The College presented Mr. Coenen certificates honoring the management of ArcelorMittal Liberia, which recognized their contributions to education, training, development and improvement in Liberia.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Grand Bassa University’s Board of Trustees, and Advisor to the President of Liberia Dr. Lawrence K. Bropleh has hailed the AML CEO for his people-centered leadership and the company’s continuous partnership for sustainable progress and development for Liberia, especially as seen and felt by the people of Grand Bassa.
Janjay Baikpeh, Grand Bassa Superintendent, also praised AML CEO Coenen and for the many scholarships and training opportunities offered to youths in Grand Bassa. He further appealed for the establishment a TVET center at Grand Bassa University like the ArcelorMittal Liberia Academy in Yekepa.
Source: New republic liberia