Announcement of Morocco Launches Project to Meet Future Skilled Manpower Needs on November 29, 1984

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 85/15 Contact: Fawzi Rihane November 29, 1984 (202) 477-5325 MOROCCO LAUNCHES PROJECT TO MEET FUTURE SKILLED MANPOWER NEEDS Morocco is launching a project to expand vocational training in the country in anticipation of future needs for skilled workers. The World Bank is providing a loan of $27.1 million for the project, which includes the construction of training centers across the country. Some 22 vocational training centers will be built and equipped, and equipment and technical assistance will be provided for a new training center for instructors in Casablanca. Mobile training units will also be established for the Casablanca office. Studies will be carried out to improve the coordination of training and to formulate policy recommendations regarding the financial aspects of the training programs. Part of the studies will deal with a strategy to promote the training of apprentices and to strengthen training for the management of small businesses. Since the project is the first phase of a long-term expansion of vocational training in the country, studies will also be made to prepare future projects. A training program will be developed to help middle-level government officials to prepare and select projects more effectively. The Economic Development Institute, The World Bank's staff college, helped design this training program. Moroccan trainers will also attend courses at the institute. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 1989 at a cost of about $44-million. The Government of Morocco is making an outlay of about $17 million and the United Nations Development Programme is supporting the training in project preparation. The World Bank loan is for 17 years, including four years' grace, with a variable interest rate, currently 9.89 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's borrowings. It also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.75 percent on undisbursed balances and a front-end fee of 0.25 percent on the amount of the loan. NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents. ( ~ t T .i U;