Announcement of Moroccan Workers to Benefit from Vocational Training Project on January 22, 1987

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.• Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 87/37 Contact: Fawzi Rihane (202) 477-5325 MOROCCAN WORKERS TO BENEFIT FROM VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROJECT WASHINGTON, January 22 -- Morocco's labor force continues to shift toward activities requiring higher skills, and vocational training is the key to providing more employment opportunities for lower-income groups and women, among others. To assist Morocco in providing this training, the World Bank has approved a $22.3 million loan. The project is the second of this type. Under the first vocational training project, to be completed next year, the Bank supported a plan for the expansion of vocational training program capacity. The new loan, for the second vocational training project, aims at (i) raising the quality of vocational training programs by improving instructor training, redesigning programs for students and upgrading training facilities; (ii) increasing the overall efficiency with which the Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion (known as the Office) plans, oversees and regulates vocational training programs; (iii) improving the Office's financial management through proposed cost-recovery measures; and (iv) providing improved vocational training opportunities to low-income groups and women through better adaptation of training programs to evolving labor-market needs. Vocational Training Centers will be re-equipped and refurbished, technical assistance will be provided to develop programs in key specialties such as electronics and industrial and building maintenance and repair. Facilities will be improved, and clerical assistance will be made available to the Vocational Training Administration and the Office to study new program developments. To be completed in 1992, the total project cost is $28 million, with Morocco providing $5.7 million. The World Bank loan is for 20 years, including five years of grace, with a variable interest rate, currently 7.92 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's borrowings. It also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.75 percent on the undisbursed balances. NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents.