MONROVIA, Liberia – The Acting Director General of the National Insurance Corporation of Liberia (NICOL), Abdullah Swaray, has challenged graduates of the Key Institute of Vocational and Professional Studies to embrace technical and vocational skills as powerful tools for self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and national development.
Speaking as keynote speaker at the institution’s 8th Graduation Ceremony, Swaray urged the graduates to reject the misconception that success is measured solely by earning a university degree or securing white-collar employment.
“Never believe that success only comes through a university degree or an office job. Liberia needs skilled electricians, mechanics, carpenters, masons, tailors, chefs, technicians, entrepreneurs, and many other skilled professionals. Your skills have value, and you should be proud of them,” he said.
He emphasized that vocational and technical education remains a critical pillar in Liberia’s economic transformation, noting that the country requires a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation, productivity, and sustainable growth.
Describing graduation as the beginning of a lifelong journey, Swaray encouraged the graduates to continually upgrade their knowledge, embrace emerging technologies, and cultivate the discipline, professionalism, and work ethic needed to remain competitive in an evolving labor market.
“Your certificate is a beginning, not the destination. Continue learning, improve your skills, embrace technology, and develop the discipline and professionalism that will set you apart,” he stated.
The NICOL Acting Director General further urged the graduates to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging them to transform their vocational skills into businesses capable of creating employment opportunities for others.
“Do not wait only for someone to give you a job. Ask yourself: ‘What can I create with the skill I have acquired?’ Your skill can become your profession, your profession can become your business, and your business can create opportunities for others,” Swaray told the graduates.
He concluded by reminding the graduates that while technical competence may open doors, lasting success is built on integrity, discipline, hard work, respect, and excellence.
“Graduates, Liberia needs you. We need young people who will not only look for opportunities but create opportunities; young people who will believe that Liberia can be built by Liberians.”
The ceremony brought together graduates, faculty members, government officials, parents, and well-wishers to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class and reaffirm the importance of technical and vocational education in advancing Liberia’s national development agenda.
