Buchanan Coastal Youth Apprenticeship
- Buchanan, Liberia
- 2023
- DWA FOUNDATION
ADVANCE built an apprenticeship route into port, logistics and marine trades for young people in Buchanan, structured around employer demand rather than classroom supply.
The challenge
Training provision had little connection to hiring. Young people completed courses in trades that local employers were not recruiting, while port and logistics operators reported unfilled technical roles. Employers were reluctant to take apprentices without clarity on supervision, safety responsibility and cost.
Our approach
ADVANCE started from employer vacancy data, defining apprenticeship tracks only where hiring intent was confirmed in writing. Placement agreements set supervision duties, safety obligations, stipend terms and completion criteria for both parties. Preparatory training covered safety certification and workplace basics, and each apprentice had a named workplace supervisor and an independent point of contact for concerns.
The result
Apprentices entered placements matched to confirmed vacancies, with clear expectations on both sides. Employers continued the scheme beyond the initial cohort because supervision and liability were resolved in advance. The route gave young people a defined progression from preparation to paid technical work in the local economy.
Outcomes
- Tracks defined by confirmed hiring intent
- Placement agreements covering supervision and safety
- Employer continuation beyond first cohort