The recent transition of 56 locally trained artisans into full-time employment at ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) underscores what the company describes as a sustained commitment to investing in Liberian talent and building a self-sustaining, future-ready workforce through structured technical training and development.
According to AML Human Resources Business Partner, Attorney Patience Jordan Kargbah, the decision reflects management’s long-term human capital strategy aimed at addressing a persistent skills gap in Liberia’s industrial and mining sectors, particularly in heavy machinery operations and technical maintenance.
“Sourcing talents from the local market has proven challenging,” Atty. Kargbah explained, noting that even when external candidates are available, many lack the advanced technical competencies required for complex mining infrastructure. “The level of skills and competencies demonstrated by those trained through the ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy (AMLTA) is unmatched.”
She emphasized that the integration of academy graduates into the company’s permanent workforce represents the full realization of AML’s investment in training and human capital development.
“The transition of trained artisans enables the organization to fully realize its investment in talent development by converting training into lasting capability,” she said. “It further supports the creation of a sustainable, future-ready workforce equipped with critical skills, while also driving transformation through the growth of local talent and reducing reliance on external expertise.”
The latest intake of 56 artisans follows a broader recruitment push in 2025, during which AML granted full-time employment to 200 artisans and 127 heavy-duty truck operators, reflecting a continued expansion of its localized workforce pipeline.
Providing an overview of staffing composition, Atty. Kargbah disclosed that AML currently employs 2,861 Liberian nationals directly, representing approximately 89% of the company’s total workforce. She noted that this figure does not include additional Liberians engaged through subcontracted service providers.
She further clarified expectations surrounding the training programme, stating that while the AML Training Academy does not formally guarantee employment upon entry, the company’s consistent absorption of graduates demonstrates its clear intent to integrate trained participants into its operations.
“The company has consistently demonstrated its intent to employ all trainees, given the significant investment of time and resources dedicated to their training and development,” she noted.
AML Training Academy Manager, Dawie Loots, also highlighted the importance of the initiative, describing it as a strategic response to a forecasted shortage of technical skills identified years ago.
He explained that AML leadership anticipated a growing national deficit in specialized industrial competencies and therefore established structured training pipelines for key operational roles, including artisans, train drivers, and process operators, to support the company’s Phase 2 expansion programme.
Backed by structured human resource systems and long-term planning, AML’s training framework is designed to ensure that Liberia’s natural resource wealth is translated into sustainable employment opportunities and high-value technical careers for Liberians.
The company maintains that its approach not only strengthens operational efficiency but also contributes to national capacity building by equipping young Liberians with internationally relevant skills that can support both current and future industrial growth.
