The Booker Washington Institute (BWI) automotive students restore and donate vehicle to enhance hands-on training
The project complements an existing training vehicle previously donated by the European Union (EU) through the Youth Rising project, addressing a major gap in practical resources. With 42 students in the senior automotive class, one vehicle was insufficient to provide adequate hands-on training. The student-led initiative to acquire and restore an additional car significantly boosts the department's capacity to deliver real-world technical skills.
'As senior students, we are expected to leave behind a meaningful project as our legacy,' said Julie M. Soe, a member of the class. 'We came together, discussed our options, and decided to buy and repair a vehicle. It wasn't easy. The car had major issues with the engine, lights, oil system, and brakes. But we stayed focused, worked as a team, and today we're proud to hand it over to the department.'
'During our first year, we had no proper workshop and worked outside in the sun,' added Samuel P. Borbor, senior student and chair of the class project committee. 'Now, with EU support, we have a workshop, tools, and a brand-new vehicle. This motivated us to take on our own project. Having two vehicles instead of one makes a huge difference. It allows us to actually practice what we learn, and I even got to use the electronic fault scanning machine for the first time.'
Instructors praised the students for their initiative and commitment. 'The confidence I had in these students has been fully justified,' said John Charlie, an automotive instructor at BWI. 'Seeing them select, plan, and execute this project on a live engine is a dream come true. It shows they are ready for the industry.'
'This project clearly demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving, and responsibility, qualities every good technician needs,' added Worlubah Mulbah, another instructor. 'Their cooperation and willingness to share ideas were impressive.'
Since 2018, the European Union (EU), through its Youth Rising project implemented by UNIDO, has supported Liberia's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. The project focuses on renovating facilities, training instructors, providing tools and equipment, and updating curricula to deliver high-quality, market-relevant technical education. At BWI, this support included renovated workshops, new training vehicle, modern hand tools/equipment, and electronic diagnostic equipment, creating a strong foundation for practical learning.
With this additional student-restored vehicle, BWI's automotive department is now better equipped to prepare graduates for the job market. Instructors plan to replicate similar student-led projects with future classes, ensuring continuous improvement of hands-on learning and fostering a culture of initiative and innovation among Liberia's future technicians.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
20 hours ago
- Zawya
Ford South Africa accelerates dealer network growth with $51mln investment
Ford's dealer network in South Africa is set to undergo a significant transformation, with partners committing over R900m in upgrades and new projects over the next three years. The investment signals strong confidence in the brand's direction, growth strategy, and relevance in an increasingly competitive automotive landscape. The infrastructure rollout comes at a time when many global automakers are scaling back, yet Ford and its dealer partners are doubling down on customer-focused strategies, updated facilities, and modern service offerings to reinforce its position as a leading volume brand. 'That's not us saying we believe in Ford,' said Neale Hill, president of Ford Motor Company, Africa. 'That's our partners endorsing it – a clear vote of confidence in our direction, our people, and most importantly, our customers.' Dealer projects and infrastructure modernisation Twenty new dealership projects and upgrades are already underway or scheduled for completion this year, contributing to a broader investment pipeline across Ford's Southern African dealer network. The upgrades focus on right-sizing facilities, improving accessibility, enhancing digital readiness, and aligning with global retail design standards. Ford's network spans 118 locations across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Eswatini, and collectively supports over 10,000 direct jobs in South Africa alone. According to Ford, updated dealerships that meet its global retail standards consistently outperform older ones across key customer metrics – supporting both profitability and customer satisfaction. The company says the investment is intended not just to update physical spaces but to align with shifting consumer behaviours, especially as time-conscious, digitally engaged customers expect more streamlined experiences from automotive retailers. Focus on product strength and sales momentum Ford's dealer network plays a pivotal role in delivering the company's growing product line to market. In 2024, the Ranger Double Cab became the first bakkie to win the SA Car of the Year award and remains South Africa's top-selling double cab. The high-performance Ranger Raptor also earned recognition in 2025 as the 'Ultimate Double Cab Bakkie' in the Awards. This product strength has translated into strong local performance: Ford's share of the new vehicle market reached 6.5% in June, up by 0.5 percentage points month-on-month, securing the brand fourth place overall. Ranger sales remain the key driver of this growth – a notable achievement in a market where passenger cars have led most of the recent gains. Evolving the ownership wxperience The dealer investment is supported by a broader push to redefine Ford's customer experience under its Ford Family Promise. The initiative includes tailored finance solutions, aftersales support, and other ownership benefits designed to improve customer satisfaction and retention. 'It's more than a brand initiative – it's a shared commitment between Ford and our dealer partners to put the customer at the centre of everything we do,' said Hill. Ford says this approach is intended to foster long-term loyalty and align with its vision of a premium, globally consistent ownership experience. Outlook: building for the long term Ford South Africa's retail strategy reflects a broader trend toward future-proofing automotive businesses in the face of rising customer expectations and evolving retail formats. 'We are not waiting for the future, we are building it,' Hill concluded. 'With our dealer partners, we're investing where it counts: in people, experience, and the strength of the Ford brand.' All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Arabian Business
a day ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai's RTA opens new driver training centre at Al Rowaiyah 3
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a driver training and licensing centre at Al Rowaiyah 3 (Sector No. 5), bringing the total number of RTA driver licensing service locations to 28. First Driving Centre operates the facility, which aims to improve service quality and accessibility across the emirate. The centre serves residents of the area and nearby communities. #RTA has approved a new centre for driver training and licensing services at Al Al Rowaiyah 3 (Sector No. 5). The step aligns with RTA's efforts to improve quality and accessibility of its services across the Emirate. Operated by First Driving Centre, the facility is designed to… — RTA (@rta_dubai) July 21, 2025 New RTA driver training centre opens The authority collaborated with First Driving Centre owners to ensure the facility meets licensing requirements with a refreshed identity and design that addresses customer expectations in appearance and on-site amenities. The centre has begun offering services including traffic file opening, training, theoretical and practical testing, and driving licence issuance for motorcycles and light vehicles with manual and automatic transmissions. Theoretical lectures are also available. Services will expand to cover heavy vehicles, buses, and mechanical equipment. Operating hours run from Monday to Thursday between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Friday hours are 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Saturday operations run from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The centre closes on Sundays, except for scheduled practical training sessions when applicable. The authority stated the opening 'represents a valuable addition to the driver training sector, aligned with the efforts of the Government of Dubai and RTA to streamline and enhance service delivery for customers.' The centre opening forms part of RTA's efforts to improve service quality and accessibility whilst meeting standards that define Dubai, according to the authority.

Emirates 24/7
a day ago
- Emirates 24/7
RTA Approves New Driver Training and Licensing Centre at Al Rowaiyah 3
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a new centre for driver training and licensing services at Al Al Rowaiyah 3 (Sector No. 5). The step aligns with RTA's efforts to improve quality and accessibility of its services across the Emirate. Operated by First Driving Centre, the facility is designed to enhance the efficiency of public services and utilities for residents of the area and nearby communities. RTA underlined that the opening of First Driving Centre at Al Rowaiyah 3 brings the total number of RTA's driver licensing service locations to 28. It represents a valuable addition to the driver training sector, aligned with the efforts of the Government of Dubai and RTA to streamline and enhance service delivery for customers. To elevate driver training facilities in line with the modern standards that define Dubai, RTA collaborated closely with the owners of First Driving Centre to ensure the new facility is licensed with a refreshed identity and designed to meet customer expectations in both appearance and the quality of on-site amenities. Notably, the new centre had already commenced offering services, including traffic file opening, training, theoretical and practical testing, and the issuance of driving licences for motorcycles and light vehicles with both manual and automatic transmissions, along with theoretical lectures. The range of services would soon expand to cover heavy vehicles, buses, and mechanical equipment. The centre will operate from Monday to Thursday between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. On Fridays, it will open from 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM and resume from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Saturday service hours will be from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The centre will remain closed on Sundays, except for scheduled practical training sessions, if applicable. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.