A positive indicator revealed in early May by the High Commission for Planning (HCP), which points out that “the largest falls in the unemployment rate were recorded among adults aged 35 to 44 (-0.8 points) and people with no qualifications (-0.3 points)”. A few days later, as if to echo this good news, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published its recommendations following its Multi-dimensional Review of the Kingdom… And employment was at the heart of the report, representing, according to the international body, one of the major challenges to be met “in order to join the club of emerging countries”. It is true that a significant problem remains in the national economic ecosystem: the mismatch between the university or vocational training on offer and the needs of the labour market. Solving it would give fresh impetus to the job market…! The report recommends a battery of solutions, notably “the creation of professional bachelor’s degrees and specialised master’s degrees at university, and the development of work-based training in technical education”. Technical skills need to be aligned and complemented by soft skills, which are just as sought after in recruitment. An individual’s personal qualities, attitude and values are forms of knowledge highly prized by the business world.
In addition to raising the level of training, which would create a better balance between the supply of and demand for jobs, the OECD also proposes more active support for innovation: “Morocco could benefit more from innovation. Indeed, the amounts invested in Research and Development have stood at 0.79% of GDP since 2010, which is less than in many other comparison countries”.
Innovation, quality jobs, attractiveness… At the Chamber, we are well aware of the challenges we face. Alongside our partners, economic players from the public and private spheres, we propose solutions, on our own scale, so that this fruitful cooperation can be one of the contributors to national dynamism.
Morocco, already engaged in an ambitious reform programme and with favourable economic indicators, is entering the second half of the year under the best auspices.
Mehdi Benzaari
President of the CCSM