A partnership agreement was signed Wednesday in Rabat between the Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, the Ministry of Budget, and Al Barid Bank to introduce a new system for managing and disbursing scholarships for trainees enrolled in public vocational training institutions. The agreement covers institutions under the Office of Vocational Training and Work Promotion (OFPPT), as well as those overseen by ministries responsible for training in fields such as crafts, agriculture, tourism, fisheries, equipment, energy, mines, and urban planning. Signed by Minister Younes Sekkouri, Budget Minister Delegate Fouzi Lekjaa, and Al Barid Bank CEO Al Amine Nejjar, the deal marks a strategic step in the modernization and digitalization of the vocational scholarship system. The aim is to overcome current challenges and simplify access to scholarships through efficient and equitable procedures. Under the agreement, payments will be made via Al Barid Bank, using a dedicated digital platform developed with the General Treasury of the Kingdom. The new mechanism is designed to accelerate application processing, improve governance and transparency, and ensure full traceability. Scholarships will continue to be paid in three installments: mid-October, mid-February, and mid-May. Beneficiaries will also receive a free «E-ZY Pack» from Al Barid Bank, which includes a no-fee checking account, a customizable international «Visa Jeunes» card with perks in gaming, music, and sports, as well as access to digital banking services through the Barid Bank Mobile app. The reform process has involved creating a ministerial committee to review applications, introducing merit-based eligibility criteria through data from the Unified Social Registry, and launching a specialized central unit to support the digital platform. Speaking at the signing, Minister Sekkouri said the agreement reflects sustained efforts to reform the scholarship system, which has grown significantly in recent years, with the number of beneficiaries rising from around 25,000 to 35,000 thanks to increased funding. For his part, Minister Delegate Fouzi Lekjaa stressed the importance of vocational training in Morocco's development projects initiated under King Mohammed VI, while Al Barid Bank's CEO Al Amine Nejjar pledged the bank's expertise and nationwide network to ensure fast, transparent, and secure payments for some 35,000 trainees each year. Since its launch in 2017, the vocational scholarship program has benefited around 222,000 trainees. The number of recipients has increased by 37% since 2021, from 25,632 in 2021–2022 to more than 35,000 expected in 2025–2026.
