This afternoon, Liberian Vice President Joseph N. Boakai and his delegation visited Maricopa Skill Center (MSC) in downtown Phoenix. Boakai is interested in MSC specifically because of its job readiness and workforce development.
“It was an honor to have Vice President Boakai visit our campus today,” said MSC Acting Executive Director Sue Kater, Ph.D. “It’s a great opportunity for all of us to show a foreign leader what we do and how he can apply it in Liberia.”
Vice President Boakai’s purpose of the tour was to learn about MSC so he can apply the same principles to his own country. Liberia’s current economy relies heavily on rubber, mineral resources, and forestry, so there is a strong desire for skill centers and job readiness across the country. Some of the socioeconomic needs of Liberia include workforce development, the establishment of skill development centers and small business development centers.
Boakai’s tour took him throughout the entire campus showing him various MSC programs such as Cosmetology, Construction Trades, Health Care, Meat Cutting and Welding. Following the tour he sat down with Dr. Kater to discuss issues on literacy, blueprints for creating future skill centers, and employment trends.
Boakai’s tour also takes him to GateWay Community College and Phoenix College, two of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges, a meeting with Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, and Maricopa Community Colleges’ Chancellor Rufus Glasper.