HELOG launches a develoPPP.de project in Liberia

There are only a few well-trained mechanics and a few experts for metal processing in the aviation industry available in West Africa. High-quality specialist training combined with practical experience is almost unknown. The HELOG KG recently launched a project to establish a maintenance training facility in Monrovia.

The creation of jobs for the mostly young people of Liberia is still a huge challenge for the country. The lack of infrastructure in the field of education means that only 40 per cent of young people of compulsory school age are able to participate in regular lessons, primarily in the cities.

Due to the limited infrastructure, the demand for helicopter transports is huge. Aviation is being substantially expanded all over the region of West Africa in order to connect difficult-to-access parts of the country and to develop them for economic activities, e. g. the exploration of natural resources.

However, the lack of experts is a big challenge, meaning that experts must be recruited from all other parts of the world. There are only a few well-trained mechanics, a few experts for metal processing in the aviation industry available in West Africa. High-quality specialist training combined with practical experience is almost unknown all over the country.

HELOG intends to take action exactly at this point and to provide basic technical training in the fields of metal processing and mechanical engineering. Within the framework of the special programme develoPPP.de of the Federal German Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ), the project is being support by the DEG (Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation in Germany) with 50 per cent of the initial costs. develoPPP.de targets companies that invest in developing and emerging countries and are seeking ways to shape their corporate commitment in the long term.

The project aims at young male, but also young female school leavers in Liberia who so far have no chance to achieve a professional qualification. Above all, technically interested young people from low-income families may benefit from the training and income opportunities meaning that they can improve the conditions of their lives characterized by unemployment and poverty.

Such opportunities of a successful professional career would also benefit the families of the young people. HELOG aims at training its own technical professionals for its aviation business in West Africa as well as technical specialists for the aviation industry all over Africa.