Strengthening South-South Cooperation in Vocational Training
On April 17, 2026, a significant meeting took place at the Cité des Métiers et des Compétences in Casablanca-Settat, where Loubna Tricha, the Director General of the Office of Vocational Training and Job Promotion (OFPPT), welcomed a delegation from Ivory Coast led by Jean-Louis Moulot, the Deputy Minister responsible for Technical Education. This encounter was pivotal in discussing the future of bilateral collaboration in vocational training, particularly focusing on the Ivorian Ministry's roadmap for 2026-2035, highlighting the ongoing commitment to expertise transfer and knowledge sharing over the upcoming decades.
In her opening remarks, Tricha expressed her pleasure regarding the enduring partnership between Morocco and Ivory Coast, which has flourished for 25 years based on mutual trust and the exchange of expertise. She reiterated OFPPT's unwavering dedication to supporting Ivory Coast in enhancing its vocational training system, emphasizing the importance of improving the quality and relevance of training programs.
A Mutual Exchange of Expertise and Best Practices
Jean-Louis Moulot commended the advancements achieved in vocational training in Morocco, particularly acknowledging OFPPT's crucial role in enhancing skill quality. He articulated Ivory Coast's eagerness to strengthen its partnership with OFPPT through the exchange of best practices, training support, and capacity building for trainers. This collaboration is particularly vital in priority sectors such as agro-industry, mining and energy, sustainable development, tourism, hospitality, and catering.
The dialogue also revisited existing joint projects between OFPPT and Ivory Coast, which are underpinned by a long history of structured cooperation that began with the signing of a Cooperation Protocol on April 13, 2001. This bilateral relationship has been further solidified through official visits by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to Ivory Coast, including a significant framework agreement signed on March 19, 2013, aimed at supporting the Ivorian Ministry of Tourism in vocational training.
Moreover, the partnership has seen the establishment of comprehensive training facilities, such as the "Mohammed VI" Multi-Sectoral Vocational Training Center inaugurated by the King on November 27, 2017, in Yopougon, Abidjan. This facility is a testament to the strong commitment towards enhancing vocational training capabilities in Ivory Coast.
With an eye towards the future, the cooperation between OFPPT and the Ivorian ministry has evolved to include hosting Ivorian trainees within Moroccan training institutions. Since 2011, OFPPT has welcomed nearly 1,500 young Ivoirians and has contributed to the training and development of 82 Ivorian trainers and technical-pedagogical staff since 2014. Additionally, diagnostic missions have been conducted by OFPPT experts to support the development of the Ivorian vocational training system.
The OFPPT is also committed to developing five training curricula for Ivory Coast and supporting the establishment of a trainer training center in Abidjan, specializing in agriculture and agro-industry. Following the meeting, the Ivorian delegation toured the educational spaces of the CMC in Casablanca-Settat, gaining first-hand insight into the infrastructure and advantages of this state-of-the-art training facility, which is central to Morocco's new roadmap for vocational training development.
Situated on a 20-hectare site in Nouaceur, the CMC boasts a total capacity of 4,670 training spots, offering qualifying and diploma courses tailored to the region's economic ecosystem and labor market priorities. The facility, which opened its doors to young learners on November 11, 2024, adopts an immersive pedagogical approach that encourages practical skill acquisition through active experimentation.
As reported by ecoactu.ma.
