By Bill W. Cooper
The Ministry of Labour, through its National Bureau of Employment, has relaunched the National Vacation Job Program, aimed at promoting youth employment and empowerment.
However, the program had been inactive due to the lack of budgetary support and stakeholders’ engagement, but to ensure the program’s sustainability, the Ministry is now seeking support from the private sector, partners in the labor sector, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
The Ministry is also encouraging collaboration with its employment bureau to provide more opportunities for potential Liberian job seekers.
Labor Minister, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah said the pilot phase, valued at US$27,825.00, is being funded by seven private institutions, as the 346 beneficiaries are from Montserrado, Margibi, and Grand Bassa counties.
The program, according to Minister Kruah during a news conference over the Weekend in Congo Town, further disclosed that the project will help these young people prepare for employment opportunities.
“The Ministry, through the National Bureau of Employment has deemed it necessary to recommence National Vacation Job program which has been dormant, due to non-budgetary allotment and other stakeholders’ support,” he revealed.
The Minister also emphasized that the program is geared towards interactively engaging Liberian youth in vacation job and community development with the aimed to provide financial assistance to beneficiaries for the month of July to September.
Minister Kruah indicated that the program will greatly lessen the cost on targeted school-going youth associated with returning to school under the current prevailing economic conditions.
He maintained that under the program, the Ministry, with support from partners, will expend a little over US$27,800 across three pilot counties; Montserrado, Margibi and Grand Bassa.
The Minister then commended some major investment conglomerates who positively responded to his appeal in the implementation of this strategic economic stimulus program for the youths.
The Minister named the AFCONS, Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC), Monrovia Breweries, Bea Mountain Mining Company, Mano Manufacturing Company and Capital Link Cement Company, among others.
Minister Kruah then assured that the program will steam up, beginning next year when early arrangements would have been concluded to benefit more needy school-going youth across the country.
He added, “Education and job creation are key elements of the ARREST AGENDA of President Boakai Rescue Mission Government and the Ministry will continue to ensure that the youth benefit in preparation for the country’s future labor expertise.”