Empowering Youth: The IDMAJ Initiative in Rabat
On March 14, 2026, a significant event took place in Rabat with the launch of the IDMAJ initiative, aimed at providing professional integration opportunities for non-diploma holders. This initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills, and the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills (ANAPEC). Younes Sekkouri, the Minister responsible for Economic Inclusion, emphasized the importance of this initiative in addressing the high number of unemployed youth, particularly the 900,000 job seekers without diplomas and the additional 280,000 young individuals who are at risk of dropping out of school.
The IDMAJ initiative is designed to create tangible pathways for these youth to enter the workforce. By focusing on apprenticeship programs, the government aims to support the annual integration of 100,000 individuals into various sectors, including crafts, industry, and textiles. These apprenticeship programs will be complemented by tailored training sessions lasting between three to six months, ensuring that participants are well-equipped with the skills needed in today’s job market.
Minister Sekkouri highlighted the pressing need to align local skills with the demands of the economic fabric, particularly as nearly 100,000 job vacancies were reported at the end of 2025. The initiative is not just a response to current unemployment rates but also a strategic approach to foster economic growth through enhanced workforce participation. Under the guidance of ANAPEC, the initiative aspires to expand its reach to 400,000 beneficiaries annually, including seasonal workers, thereby providing a broader base for economic integration.
Moreover, Sekkouri referenced the success of previous inclusion programs that assisted 235,000 individuals during the post-COVID period, showcasing the positive impact such initiatives have on both employers and employees. Employers have reported increased loyalty and engagement from non-diploma holders, indicating that these individuals are not only filling positions but are also contributing effectively to their respective organizations.
Strategic Partnerships for Job Creation
Abdellah Chouikh, the General Director of ANAPEC, reinforced the initiative's commitment to equity and equal opportunity, stating that this is not merely a technical adjustment but a clear strategic choice rooted in economic realism. The goal is to provide motivated youth with their first professional experience while simultaneously offering businesses the chance to train their future workforce directly. This integrated approach aims to create a win-win situation where young people gain valuable experience and companies cultivate talent tailored to their specific needs.
Chouikh also highlighted the encouraging early results, with nearly 10,000 integration contracts recorded by the end of February 2026. The initiative is poised to strengthen its partnerships with various professional federations, projecting the creation of approximately 30,000 job opportunities each year in key sectors such as construction, industry, commerce, and hospitality. This ambitious project transcends the mere establishment of a new employment mechanism; it seeks to lay the foundation for a generation of more inclusive employment policies that are aligned with the needs of the national economy.
By fostering a culture of training, expertise transfer, and socio-economic integration, the IDMAJ initiative positions Moroccan companies not only as production centers but also as crucial environments for professional development and skill enhancement. The signing of several partnership agreements with professional federations during the launch event marks a critical step in the effective deployment of this new integration mechanism on the ground, setting the stage for a brighter future for non-diploma holders in Morocco.
As reported by telquel.ma.
