"There's No Second Chance for First Impressions, "Says Minister Nyonton as Cadets Begin Pre-Deployment Training 

As the Government of Liberia intensifies efforts to tackle youth unemployment and the challenge of job inexperience, Deputy Minister for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Laraamand Nyonton, has urged participants of the National Cadet Program to approach their assignments with diligence and seriousness.

Speaking at the opening of a four-day pre-deployment training at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Minister Nyonton addressed 70 newly recruited cadets for Phase One of the 2025 National Cadet Program. He underscored the importance of making a strong first impression.

“You are being given the chance to step through the door—take it seriously. There is no second chance for first impressions,” he emphasized.

Minister Nyonton encouraged the cadets to give their best, reminding them that they are not only representing themselves but also the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He cautioned them against engaging in the internal politics of the institutions where they will be deployed, urging them instead to maintain professionalism and focus on their duties.

In his concluding remarks, Minister Nyonton cited an African proverb: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” He used the saying to inspire the cadets to remain resilient amid life’s challenges—ranging from completing college to undergoing the program's competitive selection process—praising the determination they have shown throughout.

The National Cadet Program (NCP) is a flagship youth empowerment initiative of the Government of Liberia, implemented through the Ministry of Youth and Sports with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). For the 2025 phase, 150 recent college graduates from Montserrado, Margibi, Lofa, Nimba, and Grand Bassa Counties have been selected.

As part of the program, cadets will receive three months of practical work experience in various institutions, along with a modest stipend of US$204 per month. During the pre-deployment training, they will be equipped with essential skills in Office Procedures, Leadership, Communication, and Professional Etiquette to prepare them for success in the workplace.