The Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training recently signed a framework agreement with Koutoubia Holding regarding the training of young people in the meat processing industry trades and the agreement for the implementation of operations for the validation of professional experience (VAEP) for the company's employees. The agreement concerns the implementation of a joint programme aimed at training 3000 young people by 2016.

The first phase will consist of relying on the Apprenticeship Training Centre (CFA) of the private company installed in Mohammedia. This space can today accommodate up to 1200 students. The second phase of the programme is focused on the implementation of two other new training centres planned in Bouskoura and Settat by 2016.



The third point of the agreement concerns the proposed training programmes, which are four in number. The last point of the agreement revolves around the validation of professional experience (VAEP) of the employees of the said company. Thus, employees trained on the job and experienced can obtain a diploma or a certificate outside the initial training system.

Through this project, which requires a budget of

10 million dirhams, the group specialised in halal meat processing commits itself alongside young victims of school dropout and without qualifications with the aim of guaranteeing them possibilities for professional insertion. Another objective of this agreement is to overcome the shortage of qualified labour in the meat processing industry sector.

For now, the CFA-Koutoubia will serve as a pilot school for the programme and will welcome the first students. Created in 2004 for the "in-house training" of new recruits and the retraining of the group's staff, the CFA will henceforth be open to the external public, to students wishing to strengthen their knowledge or validate their professional experience in the industry and meat processing trades.

The centre gives a good place to practical work (80%) against (20%) of theoretical courses. The training is provided by a mixed teaching staff. These are very high-level executives operating at the group in question, recognised Moroccan experts from the market, and professors from Europe.

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With a total area of 800m², the CFA extends over 4 levels. It is built as a mini-factory and has in miniature the modern and essential devices and machines in the exercise of the meat processing industry trades.

The CFA has two theoretical classrooms, a pilot butchery workshop and a pilot charcuterie workshop, cold rooms, changing rooms, a highly equipped kitchen, a laboratory allowing students to familiarise themselves with quality management processes and to be able to carry out analyses (bacteriological, physico-

chemical or environmental). All pilot workshops are air-conditioned at 12°C in order to ensure the quality of the products and allow students to get used to hygiene conditions.

Poultry assistant

Butcher assistant

Charcuterie assistant

Butchery and charcuterie sales assistant.