فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat, Morocco – In a proactive move to tackle rising unemployment, particularly among young people without university degrees, the Moroccan government has unveiled an ambitious new “Roadmap for Employment” for the period 2025-2027. This strategy is firmly rooted in an integration and competence-based approach, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as key drivers of job creation.
This shift comes amidst rapid transformations in the Moroccan labor market and a worsening unemployment situation affecting a broad segment of youth. Economic expert Khaled El Kabbaj points out that approximately 70% of unemployed youth in Morocco do not hold higher education degrees. This alarming statistic has prompted authorities to adopt a new approach aimed at bridging the gap between market demands and job seekers’ qualifications.
Key Tools to Foster Competence-Based Employment
The new roadmap relies on three main tools to boost employment and youth qualification:
- Alternating Training: There will be a strong emphasis on training programs that combine theoretical instruction with practical, hands-on experience within companies. This approach is expected to enable over 100,000 young people annually to acquire professional skills directly relevant to labor market needs.
- Generalization of Cities of Trades and Skills (CMC): These “Cities” will transform into regional training centers, offering flexible programs tailored to the specific characteristics of each economic region. This ensures that the changing demands of local economic sectors are met.
- Rapid Qualification Programs: Swift qualification programs will be launched in promising sectors such as export-oriented industries and services. These programs will be funded by leading institutions like the Office of Vocational Training and Labor Promotion (OFPPT) and “Morocco SMEs” (Maroc PME). Additionally, a new system for recognizing informal competencies will be established.
Incentives for Businesses and Sectoral Partnerships
The roadmap includes a package of incentives aimed at encouraging businesses to employ young people who do not hold formal degrees:
- Social Contribution Exemption: Employers who integrate this category of youth will be exempt from social contributions for two years.
- Generous Integration Grants: Exporting companies that hire young people trained within CMC centers or through rehabilitation programs will receive integration grants of up to 30,000 dirhams.
- Strategic Sectoral Agreements: Agreements will be signed with vital sectors such as the automotive industry, textiles, and food industries, with the goal of training and integrating 150,000 young people by 2027, without requiring a university degree.
- “Inclusive Enterprise” Label: A new “Inclusive Enterprise” label project will be launched. This label will grant preference in public tenders to companies that employ young people based on practical competence rather than paper qualifications.
Foreign Trade as an Engine for Employment and Territorial Development
The government also aims to leverage foreign trade as a fundamental driver of employment. El Kabbaj notes that the automotive sector alone is poised to create 45,000 direct jobs by 2027, not including indirect job opportunities in logistics and industrial support services. Dedicated training platforms, such as the Tanger Med Skills Center, have already been established to qualify thousands of young people annually in specialized port and industrial professions.
The new roadmap has not overlooked rural and marginalized areas. The state is committed to integrating youth from these regions into the local economy through training in fields such as sustainable agriculture, alternative tourism, and traditional crafts. These initiatives fall within a territorial development vision aimed at reducing regional disparities and achieving comprehensive development.
According to expert Khaled El Kabbaj, this approach represents a profound cultural shift in Morocco’s employment strategy. Instead of focusing on university degrees, the emphasis is now on recognizing professional competencies acquired in the field. The economic institution is no longer merely an employer but has become a space for learning, qualification, and the recognition of capabilities, heralding a promising future for the Moroccan job market.
