Enhancing Bilateral Relations through Vocational Training
On April 17, 2026, Madame Loubna Tricha, the General Director of the Office of Vocational Training and Labour Promotion (OFPPT), welcomed a delegation from Côte d'Ivoire led by Mr. Jean-Louis Moulot, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Education, Literacy, and Technical Education of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, at the Casablanca-Settat Skills and Trades City located in Nouaceur. This meeting aimed to explore the prospects of bilateral cooperation in vocational training, a field where both nations have a longstanding partnership of 25 years, built on mutual trust, the exchange of expertise, and the implementation of significant projects.
During her opening remarks, Madame Tricha expressed her enthusiasm for the enduring partnership between Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire, emphasizing OFPPT's unwavering commitment to supporting Côte d'Ivoire in enhancing its vocational training system. She highlighted the importance of quality and relevance in the Ivorian training framework, which is crucial for developing a skilled workforce that meets the demands of the job market.
Collaboration on Vocational Development Initiatives
Mr. Moulot acknowledged the progress made in vocational training in Morocco and praised OFPPT's crucial role in enhancing the quality of skills development. He expressed the interest of the Ivorian side in strengthening the partnership with OFPPT through best practice exchanges, support in training initiatives, capacity building for trainers, and collaboration in priority sectors such as agro-industry, mining and energy, sustainable development, tourism, hospitality, and catering.
The discussions included a review of the Ivorian Ministry's roadmap for the years 2026-2035, focusing on the continuation of knowledge transfer and expertise exchange for the upcoming decades. The meeting also provided an opportunity to revisit joint projects between OFPPT and Côte d'Ivoire in the realm of vocational training.
Since the signing of the Cooperation Agreement Protocol between the two governments on April 13, 2001, the cooperation between Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire has evolved into a structured and dynamic relationship. This bilateral relationship was further solidified during the official visits of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to Côte d'Ivoire, including the signing of a framework agreement on March 19, 2013, aimed at supporting the Ivorian Ministry of Tourism in vocational training.
The partnership was further strengthened in June 2015 with a new framework cooperation agreement, reinforcing the mutual desire to develop and structure this strategic partnership. The inauguration of the "Mohammed VI" multi-sector vocational training center in Yopougon, Abidjan, on November 27, 2017, marked a significant milestone in this cooperative endeavor.
Additionally, the collaboration has resulted in various framework agreements concerning structural projects, such as the agreement signed on June 6, 2018, for the construction and equipping of a training complex in hospitality, tourism, and public works in Abidjan. This partnership continued to flourish until 2025, culminating in the signing of a cooperation framework on January 17, 2025, in Laâyoune, which established vocational training as a strategic partnership axis.
OFPPT's cooperation with the Ivorian Ministry also involves hosting Ivorian trainees within its vocational training establishments. Since 2011, OFPPT has welcomed nearly 1,500 young Ivorians and has contributed to the training and professional development of 82 Ivorian trainers and technical-pedagogical staff in key sectors since 2014.
As part of its action portfolio, OFPPT is dedicated to developing five training programs for the Ivorian side and supporting the establishment of a trainer training center in Abidjan, specializing in agriculture and agro-industry. Following the meeting, the Ivorian delegation visited the educational spaces of the Casablanca-Settat Skills and Trades City, allowing them to witness firsthand the advantages of this state-of-the-art facility, which is a cornerstone of the new roadmap for vocational training development.
Spread over 20 hectares in Nouaceur, the Casablanca-Settat Skills and Trades City (CMC) offers a total capacity of 4,670 educational places, ensuring a range of qualifying and diploma courses aligned with the economic ecosystem needs of the region and labor market priorities. Designed through a collective intelligence approach, the training offerings at this new facility encompass nine professional fields, comprising 111 programs, 61% of which are newly created. Opened to young learners on November 11, 2024, this multi-sectoral and multifunctional platform adopts an immersive pedagogical approach that promotes practical skills acquisition through active experimentation.
The integrated application platforms at CMC immerse trainees in an environment that faithfully replicates real business conditions, including various sectors such as industry, agriculture, tourism, hospitality, commerce, digital innovation, and community services. Additionally, CMC features shared facilities that ensure a harmonious integration of vocational skills training, personal development, soft skills enhancement, and overall well-being of trainees, including coworking spaces, a fab lab, a digital factory, an incubator, language and soft skills centers, a media library, and a conference center.
To promote values of cohesion and communal living, the CMC also includes numerous living spaces, such as a trainee house accommodating 700 beds, a cafeteria, various meeting areas, and sports fields catering to a range of disciplines.
As reported by lareleve.ma.
