Buchanan, Grand Bassa – ArcelorMittal Liberia’s continuous commitment in youth empowerment and skill development has resulted in at least 21 young people from fence-line communities in Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa Counties taking a brave step into the future.
Two of the recently hired Train Assistants have already finished a four-week theoretical training program at the company’s Training Academy annex in Buchanan. Essential skills like General Operating Instruction, ArcelorMittal Rail Operational Rules, Train Assistant tasks, air brake systems, and shunting were taught to them during the training.
In order to convert classroom knowledge into actual experience, the recently hired train assistants are currently completing an extra 12 weeks of hands-on training. They are placed at the Buchanan rail yard for the first eight weeks, where they are given practical instruction by seasoned Senior Train Assistants, Train Drivers, and Yard Supervisors. Shunting procedures, track switching, coupling and uncoupling wagons, air hose management, identifying damaged wagons, unloading wagons at the port, and marshalling trains for departure are all part of their training.
The rigorous program was described by Rail Operational Execution Superintendent Ashley Warner as follows: “The recruits will proceed to the mainline following their yard training, which will cover 240 kilometers from Buchanan to Tokadeh yard. They will be able to interact directly with train dispatchers and have hands-on experience with train crossings, loading, and shunting operations in Tokadeh. They will have completed the evaluation and received their Train Assistant certification by the conclusion.”
Warner also disclosed that after the current group of trainees graduates, another 24 trainees from fence-line towns will join the program, increasing the chances for young people in the area.
Many of the new hires view this position as a chance to change their lives, not just a job. “It means so much to me and my family to see myself go from being a motorcycle repairer in a community workshop with little or no income to becoming fully employed today,” said Loretta Dolo of Zoweinta, Bong County.
“I was unemployed, and now to be employed by ArcelorMittal Liberia, one of the highest paying companies in the country, means a lot for me, my family, and my community,” expressed Samuel A. Weedee of Compound Three, Grand Bassa County, who expressed his excitement. As a child, I was always fascinated by the trains that came by my neighborhood; now, I am a part of that narrative.”
Newton Banks of Monclay’s Town, Grand Bassa County, also commended AML for empowering young people in host communities and pledged to work hard in his new position.
The program, according to the company, is a brilliant illustration of it’s dedication to empowering communities, developing young people’s career prospects, and building capacity throughout its operational areas. This company continues to be essential to bolstering Liberia’s rail transportation industry and promoting national development by investing in the development of human capital.
