PAYNESVILLE, Montserrado – The 4Life Zoe Vocational Training Institute in Paynesville has celebrated the graduation of over 100 young people who have completed programs to earn certificates.
The graduation, which took place in late April, marked the end of the institute’s 29th training cycle. The program offers three-, six-, and nine-month certificate training in several disciplines, including bio-digester, satellite and solar panel installation, driving, interior decoration, plumbing, masonry, and cooking and catering.
In an interview, Francis A. Varney told The Bush Chicken that he gave birth to the idea for the institution in 2016 following his return home from studying abroad. He saw that most young Liberians lacked basic vocational and technical skills in a country with growing needs for such abilities.
“I was opportune to travel and learn these trades, and I decided to bring them to my country to make my country compete with others in the subregion and the world by extension in the areas of technical and vocational education,” Varney said.
To date, he said the institute has provided training for over 7,000 young people across Montserrado. Some are even self-employed and providing opportunities for others, he added.
However, Varney noted that the lack of adequate capacity to widen the program’s scope was a challenge and called on the government and partners in youth development to support his efforts. Getting the right tools for trainees, such as trackers used by the satellite installation students, remains a crucial challenge, and he appealed for help.
Francis A. Varney, founder 4Life Zoe’ Vocational Training Institute Photo: 4Life Zoe
Varney revealed his dream of upgrading the institute to a college and adding a high school to feed that college.
He also encouraged young people to take advantage of the institution’s programs to build their skills and become independent and respected personalities who would contribute to the development of their country.
Marie Walker, a graduate of the Department of Cookery who earlier earned a certificate in Catering, commended the institute’s management for impacting her life and promised to remain committed to her dreams.
Walker told The Bush Chicken that the school had added value to graduates’ lives and increased the call for support to the institution.
Featured photo courtesy of 4Life Zoe’ Vocational Training Institute