Académie Engins Lourds et Véhicules Commerciaux (AGEVEC)

Despite rapid economic growth, high youth unemployment rates are a harsh reality faced by young Africans. In Morocco alone, 30 percent of the population is between 15 and 29 years old, and this bulge of individuals reaching working age shows no signs of slowing down. This major employment challenge is due primarily to educational systems that do not correspond to the economic realities of the workforce. For instance, while many growing sectors require technical industrial training, these skills are not prioritized in the Moroccan education system, resulting in few eligible candidates to fill the positions. Furthermore, schools tend to focus on theory rather than hands-on application, which leave graduates without the necessary skills to succeed in any real-world working environment.

USAID RESPONSE

USAID aims to contribute to narrowing the gap between supply and demand of skilled labor and boost youth employability in the heavy-duty machinery sector by:

• ESTABLISHING THE SPECIALIZED TRAINING ACADEMY in Settat, Morocco that leverages public and private sector partnership and that is fully furnished with modern equipment.
• DEVELOPING INDUSTRY-RELEVANT CURRICULA based on labor market analysis and training needs assessment and covering key technical and soft skills.
• DELIVERING LABOR-MARKET ORIENTED TRAINING based on industry needs.
• PROVIDING CAREER SERVICES to assist students in accessing the job market.
• FOSTERING REGIONAL COOPERATION by opening up the academy to Ivoirian and Senegalese youth.
• EMPOWERING FEMALES by increasing female participation through special recruitment practices.

RESULTS ACHIEVED

• An academic curriculum has been developed for the offered training programs, which include Maintenance and Operation of Heavy Duty Equipment, and Crane Operation.
• Four intakes – encompassing 240 trainees – have attended the heavy-duty equipment maintenance training program. A total of 226 students have graduated, including 10 women and 74 youth from Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.
• An additional 306 Moroccan youth have received training and career support from the project through the USAID Career Centers.
• A Career Center based on the USAID model has been built at the Academy site.
• Over 30 private companies from relevant industries collaborate with the Academy on a regular basis – providing job and internship opportunities, participating in examination committees, and assisting with program reviews.
• The training center has an increasing number of applicants, reflecting a tenfold increase from 2016 to 2018, and more companies are now relying on the Academy for their recruitment needs.