Signing of the project funding agreement for the "Pilot School Factory 4.0" co-financed by KfW's subsidiary, the Investment for Employment Facility (IFE)
Signing of the project funding agreement for the "Pilot School Factory 4.0" co-financed by KfW's subsidiary, the Investment for Employment Facility (IFE)
Signing of the funding agreement for the "Pilot School Factory 4.0" project co-financed by KfW's subsidiary, the Investment for Employment Facility (IFE). The project covered by this grant, led by the EuroMed University of Fès, aims to build and equip an innovative training centre dedicated to Industry 4.0.
On 02 July 2024, the Investment for Employment Facility, represented by its Director General Ms Anke AFFLERBACH, and the EuroMed University of Fès (UEMF), represented by its President Mr Mostapha BOUSMINA, signed a grant agreement of 37.58 million MAD (3.51 M €) for the implementation of the new "Pilot School Factory 4.0" project. This project will, after its first three years of operation, train 585 graduates and strengthen the skills of more than 1,100 professionals, resulting in the creation of 541 new jobs.
Mobilizing a total investment of nearly 53.2 million MAD (4.97 M €), including an IFE contribution of 70% and UEMF's own contribution of 30%, the project to create this new training centre constitutes the second phase of the "Fez Smart Factory" project led by the EuroMed University of Fès in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Digital Development Agency, the Fès-Meknès Regional Council, the Fès-Meknès Branch of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises and Alten Delivery Center Morocco. The creation of this innovative training centre is part of the national strategy to set up a new generation of training institutions, enabling the digital transformation of Morocco's industrial fabric and meeting the expectations of private operators wishing to adapt to the era of Industry 4.0.
Thus, thanks to the investments to be made under the project, which should be operational from September 2026, professionals in the industrial sector of the Fès-Meknès Region and the future young beneficiaries will have access to cutting-edge training, with highly advanced technological solutions and personalized support to help them meet the challenges of Industry 4.0.
In terms of initial training, the centre will have a capacity of 240 training places per year, with a one-year degree programme (Professional Bachelor's) targeting graduates of vocational training or higher education at the advanced technician level (Bac + 2).
The signing ceremony was marked by the participation of representatives of local authorities and the Fès-Meknès Regional Council, the German Embassy in Rabat, the Director of the KfW Office in Morocco, the CGEM Fès-Meknès and heads of external services.
A first funding agreement in a long series to come
The first call for projects launched in Morocco by the IFE in 2023 was a notable success, with several other preselected projects currently in the final due diligence phase. New funding grants will be signed from next September.
Note that a 2nd call for projects was launched by the IFE from 15 May to 1 July 2024, whose evaluation process is currently under way.
