Meet Josephine Wata Sama-Robert, a dedicated educator driven by her unwavering vision to equip Liberia's youth with the necessary skills for a competitive job market.  

Inspired by a mentor during her university days, Sama-Robert embarked on a journey toward becoming an electrical engineer, but her mission extends beyond personal success as she has dedicated her career to uplifting Liberia's youth. 

In Liberia, where challenges abound, especially in providing vocational education, Sama-Robert's role as an electrical and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teacher is more than just a job. It is a mission to bridge the gap between the aspirations of the youth and the stark reality of a job market that demanded experience that seemed impossible to gain. 

Sama-Roberts echoes these concerns, highlighting the job market's exclusivity, particularly for interns and volunteers. "Where does that experience come from?" she asked, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in how skills and expertise are cultivated among the youth.  

In fact, Liberia’s youth grapples with significant challenges: a marginalized young population lacking job-ready skills. Numerous young people lack the essential skills required for employment, leaving them unprepared to seize emerging economic opportunities.  

Here’s where the UNIDO and European Union's “Youth Rising” project comes into the picture, offering viable solutions. Their training centres now foster learning and hands-on opportunities through internships and skill-sharing volunteer roles, effectively preparing Liberia’s youth for the dynamic job market. 

“With the support from UNIDO’s Youth Rising project, my skills have been improved greatly and I now consider myself an electrical programmer,” Sama-Roberts emphasizes.  

“Youth Rising” did not merely teach; it empowered. Sama-Roberts found herself aligned with an organization that shared her passion for transforming education into a force for change. Her journey embodies the transformative potential of education and dedicated individuals pursuing a shared objective. Through her efforts in the classroom and the “Youth Rising” programme, Liberia witnesses the practical impact of these efforts, promising a brighter future for its youth. 

The “Youth Rising” project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNIDO in partnership with the government of Liberia, aims to strengthen the country’s TVET sector, emphasizing equitable access and quality. By improving TVET systems and infrastructure, the project addresses youth unemployment and promotes economic growth, achieving remarkable results. 

Project name: Support to technical and vocational training for Liberia's youth