Quarterly Report (April – June 2016)

The program is implemented by FHI360 under contract AID-608-C-15-00004. The program's development objective is to increase the employability of target youth, with a focus on establishing career centers, improving work readiness, and promoting cross-cutting activities. In the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, the regional team established new partnerships with local organizations, including Tamkeen, which introduces students and teachers to innovation and social entrepreneurship. The team also developed a relationship with l'Association Solidarité Marocaine pour l'Emploi (SME) to build youth competencies in job search techniques. Additionally, the American Language Center agreed to provide a 30% discount on language courses for Career Center users to enhance communication skills. Several private sector partnerships were established during this quarter, including with SEBN, Eurostyle, and Daher, which will support the development and refinement of training modules. A soft skills program in hospitality will be developed in partnership with actors from the tourism industry, including Hilton, Movenpick, and Banyan tree. The program will also partner with Renault to develop a middle management training program. In the Marrakech-Safi region, the partnership strategy was structured around the results of the mobilization and planning workshop. Relationships were strengthened with private sector actors through the workshop, which was held on June 3-4th. Several individuals participated in the event and created action plans, and the team assisted the participants in implementing their action plans. Meetings were held with several companies in the Marrakech region, including Agro Food, Call Center 118 218, and SITI, which helped lead to a collaboration of efforts. The regional team in Marrakech also worked closely with Cadi Ayyad University to prepare for the opening of the Career Center on May 27th. Following the opening of the Career Center, coordination efforts continued to address the remaining needs of the Career Center. The regional team also worked closely with the staff at ISTAHT to monitor the progress of the construction work on the training center building. In the Casablanca-Settat region, the program is currently awaiting a new space to be confirmed for the Career Center. A lack of responsiveness on the part of the University has extended the delay in the opening of the Career Center. Despite this delay, the regional team in Casablanca worked closely with University and Vocational Training Center partners, including Mr. El Hamzaoui, the Career Center Director, who facilitated several events to mobilize youth. The program's key activities between April 1 and June 30, 2016, included establishing partnerships with local organizations, developing training modules, and preparing for the opening of the Career Center. The program's significant accomplishments during this quarter included establishing new partnerships, developing a soft skills program in hospitality, and partnering with Renault to develop a middle management training program. The program encountered several challenges, including a delay in the opening of the Career Center in the Casablanca-Settat region. However, the team took measures to overcome these challenges, including working closely with University and Vocational Training Center partners. The program's opportunities and threats include the potential for increased collaboration with private sector actors and the risk of delays in the opening of the Career Center. The program's planned activities for the next quarter include broadening the group of actors involved in the mobilization and planning workshop activities to expand the impact of the program. The program will also continue to develop and refine training modules, and will work closely with University and Vocational Training Center partners to address the remaining needs of the Career Center.