AGEVEC partners celebrate training academy’s opening

The official launch of the Heavy Construction and Commercial Vehicles Academy (AGEVEC – Académie Engins Lourds et Véhicules Commerciaux) took place today at the Mohammed VI Vocational Training School for Building and Public Works, in Settat. It was notably attended by His Excellency Mr. Dwight L. Bush, Sr., Ambassador of the United States of America to Morocco, Mr. Rachid Belmokhtar Benabdellah, Minister of National Education and Vocational Training, Mr. Larbi Bencheikh, Managing Director of the Office of Vocational Training and Work Promotion (OFPPT – Office de la Formation Professionnelle et de la Promotion du Travail), Ms. Malin Ripa, Senior Vice-President at the Volvo Group, Ms. Bouchra Ameur, Secretary General of the Moroccan OCP Foundation (Office Chérifien des Phosphates), and Mr. Gerardo Patacconi, Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Agribusiness Development Branch.

This event provided an opportunity for the AGEVEC partner institutions to present the results of the inaugural pilot year and celebrate the launch of a second group of students, including several young women as well as students from Senegal and Ivory Coast. The distinguished invitees marked the occasion by visiting the fully equipped workshops and meeting with the future graduates and new arrivals to the Academy.

“The practical knowledge one can acquire at AGEVEC through workshop exercises and internships at local companies makes it professional training beyond compare”, said Kamal Chant, an AGEVEC student, adding “those who complete this demanding program will definitely be able to distinguish themselves on the job market.”

The AGEVEC project is the result of a public-private development partnership initiated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Volvo Group, the OCP Foundation, the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, OFPPT and UNIDO. It seeks to establish a professional training program for the maintenance of heavy equipment and commercial vehicles in Morocco that is sustainable and relevant to the needs of the local industrial sector. To this end, AGEVEC relies on a curriculum that emphasizes practical knowledge; was developed jointly with local companies; utilizes modern equipment; regularly trains supervisors and trainers; and provides career guidance and referral services for beneficiaries. The project benefits young women and men from Morocco, Senegal and Ivory Coast.

For more information, please visit www.agevec.org or contact:

Virpi Stucki

UNIDO Industrial Development Officer

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