Services: Employment, training, export… the keys to unlocking growth

Organized by the General Confederation of Moroccan Businesses (CGEM) and the Federation of Commerce and Services (FCS) on the theme: “What place do services play in the economic and social development strategy?”, this edition was also marked by the signing of a framework agreement between the Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skillsthe CGEM and the FCS. Its objective is to strengthen services in Morocco through training, employment and employability. It covers, among other things, the carrying out of a feasibility study for the creation of a training institute.

Why these seats? “Because we felt that it was high time to bring together all the stakeholders to engage in a frank and in-depth dialogue,” explains Chakib Aljpresident of the CGEM. This organization is well regarded by the government: “It is a sector whose voice does not always reach the decision-makers”, recognizes without complex Younes SekkouriMinister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills.

It is also about “collectively defining concrete solutions to develop this sector and make it a real lever for socio-economic development“, explains Alj. And to emphasize that “despite its key role, this sector has not always received the attention it deserves: 730 billion DH, or 50% of the GDP and more than 5 million jobs, or more than 48% of the active population.

The solutions to be found must respond to the challenges facing the development of this sector. Thus, shares Alj, it is about defining the contours of this sector (What do we mean by services?), the formationwhich remains a major obstacle to the development of this sector, in particular the continuing professional trainingthe multiplication of institutes under delegated management. And the signing of the framework agreement relating to training marks a new dynamic in this direction.

Another indicator revealing the importance of training, the government projects in progress. “We have planned, as part of the executive strategy for professional training, the subject of the social agreement of April 2024 and scheduled for the end of this month, to address the subject of professional training, blocked for decades », Reveals, for his part, Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills. Another important subject addressed by the minister, that of the validation of professional achievements. “We have had some interesting experiences in sectors such as crafts that have shown significant dedication,” explains Sekkouri. The third subject on which the minister’s intervention was focused is that of competence, more generally. He thus cited the experience of delegated management institutes. A model that empowers sectors on how to produce the skills they need.

For this part, Ryad MezzourMinister of Industry and Trade, recalled, during his speech, the 3 main objectives to be achieved. The first concerns employment : “We must create twice as many jobs each year, as quickly as possible,” he insisted, calling on business owners to be more creative in order to get there. “We improved everything. For your part, you must succeed,” he insisted.

The second objective relates to access to world markets. The minister invited business leaders to tackle l’export more aggressively. “With 36.8 million consumers, the Moroccan market remains relatively small compared to the more than 2 billion consumers internationally,” he explained.

The third objective, finally, concerns our human capital. “Our young people are not valued enough. However, they have done a lot of studies. It’s raw material, help us valorize it!”, he asked. The possible solutions in this regard are numerous, such as Redistribution For example. “Let’s get creative!” he suggested.

For this part, Hicham Saadlipresident of the Federation of Commerce and Services (FCS), explained that despite the significant share of services in the Moroccan economy, this sector “remains below the levels of other countries. Although it provides employment, there is still room for maneuver.” He thus recalled, by way of example, that in the countries of the OECDthis sector accounts for 70% of GDP and 70% of jobs. Thus, this sector accounts for 77% of GDP and 80% of active jobs in the United States, for 69% of GDP – and 73% of active jobs in Germany and for 80% of GDP and 80% of active jobs in the United Kingdom.

In addition to being an important provider of jobs, services are also a vector of social inclusion and reduction of inequalities, according to Saadli. And added, “much more than an employer, it is the backbone of the modern economy”. As such, the workforce operating in services must be adapted because the skills required are evolving rapidly. It is therefore necessary that training be adapted and scalable, especially as the 2030 deadline approaches. fundingseveral paths can be taken.

For this part, Abdellatif Maazouzpresident of the Council of the Casablanca-Settat Region, recalls that a significant budget has been “reserved for training. A third of this budget is dedicated to cultural training. And to emphasize that “2030 is not just a sporting deadline, it is also a path for economic development and this starts in 2025. All professions are concerned. But with football alone, the range of possibilities is very wide.