Applications for Morocco’s Vocational Training Centers Surged by 435%

Rabat – Morocco’s vocational training sector is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand, with requests skyrocketing by an astounding 435%, said Loubna Tricha, the Director-General of the Office of Vocational Training and Labor Promotion (OFPPT).

Tricha made the announcement during a press conference held at the City of Trades and Skills, a specialized complex in the city of Tamesna, at the start of the 2023-2024 training year.

The surge in demand has resulted in an extraordinary ratio of applications to available educational seats, with four applicants vying for every seat, and in the specialized technician category, seven applicants for each seat.

The most significant demand has been observed in newly established healthcare sector institutions, where each available seat received a staggering 130 applications.

Institutes specializing in digital technology, artificial intelligence, hospitality, tourism, and business management have witnessed 70 applications for each available seat.

To accommodate this surge, OFPPT has expanded its overall capacity to 4,100,000 seats, with a specific allocation of 262,000 seats for first-year trainees.

Director-General Loubna Tricha emphasized that the upcoming training year will be marked by a significant enhancement of the vocational training system. This includes the establishment of 13 new institutions across six regions.

The director further explained that OFPPT’s training offerings align closely with industry needs, with 74% of proposed programs being either newly created or revamped to cater to the requirements of 68% of learners.

OFPPT is equally set to introduce two “excellence” programs: “VET by EHL” and the “Entrepreneurial Innovation Program (PIE).” These initiatives will not only cater to existing demand but also expand their reach to new regions, providing access to a more diverse range of young individuals across Morocco.

Developed in partnership with the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), PIE aims to instill an entrepreneurial mindset among youth and equip them with essential entrepreneurial skills, the director adds.