The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) on Monday welcomed 35 interns under the Government's Work-Experience Program, an initiative relaunched by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to equip young graduates with real-world job skills.
Rubby Zoe Folly, MFDP's Director of Human Resources, said the program was revived under Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan to address the gap between classroom learning and workplace readiness.
"Many students graduate without exposure to professional environments, which makes it difficult to transition smoothly into employment," Folly said. "This program ensures young Liberians understand work ethics and build confidence to compete in the job market."
Four-Month Placement Across LWSC
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LWSC Managing Director Mohammed Ali described the program as a "win-win" for the institution and the interns. He said the placement will cover administrative, procurement, and technical fields, including engineering, plumbing, and agricultural work at LWSC's Fiamma and White Plains facilities.
"Those of you who want to learn, you will learn a lot," Ali said. He cautioned interns against complacency, stressing discipline and responsibility. Monthly evaluations will be submitted to the MFDP to ensure accountability, he added.
"If you want to gain real-life experience, you must put in time and effort so that tomorrow you can get a good recommendation," Ali advised.
Interns Commit to Deliver
On behalf of the interns, Edmond Wuo expressed gratitude to the MFDP and LWSC, calling the placement an "honor."
"This is an opportunity for us, especially as young people, trying to better our lives," Wuo said. He pledged that the interns would take the experience seriously and use it to prepare for future roles in Liberia's development.
Building Careers and Capacity
The program runs for four months, after which interns will receive evaluations that could enhance their employment prospects. Organizers emphasized that the initiative goes beyond technical knowledge, aiming to strengthen networking and instill professional discipline among Liberia's youthful workforce.
For the LWSC, the program highlights the role of water and sanitation services in national development. "Your exposure here will serve as a solid foundation for future career growth," Ali told the interns.
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Folly assured that the MFDP will continue to monitor and support the program, with plans to expand across more public institutions depending on resources and space.
Tackling Youth Unemployment
With Liberia facing high youth unemployment, the Work-Experience Program is being hailed as a step toward building pathways for young people to enter the workforce.
"This is not just a temporary opportunity but the beginning of a long-term career journey," Wuo said.
