Laâyoune Enhances Maritime Training with Two New Facilities
Laâyoune Enhances Maritime Training Infrastructure to Boost Employment Opportunities for Youth
The city of Laâyoune has recently reinforced its maritime training programs with the inauguration of two new facilities aimed at developing the skills of young people and addressing the needs of the fishing sector. The ceremony took place on Thursday in El Marsa, located in the Laâyoune province, with the participation of the Minister Delegate in Charge of Maritime Fisheries, Ahmed El Mehdi Mezouari.
These two facilities include the training vessel “Al Irfane,” which has been launched at the Laâyoune port, and an educational unit dedicated to the processing and value addition of fishery products, established within the Maritime Fisheries Technology Institute (ITPM) of Laâyoune.
A Training Vessel Worth 14 Million Dirhams for Practical Training
With an investment of approximately 14 million dirhams, the training vessel “Al Irfane” is designed to enhance the educational resources allocated to technical and professional training in maritime fishing professions.
This vessel will allow trainees to apply their theoretical knowledge in real navigation and working conditions at sea. It will significantly contribute to developing their competencies in conducting fishing operations, navigation, maritime safety, and mastering professional techniques onboard.
Through this equipment, maritime training institutions now have a new tool to prepare future fishermen for the realities of their profession and the demands of their professional environment.
An Educational Unit for Fishery Product Transformation
The second facility, located within the ITPM of Laâyoune, required a total investment of 3.25 million dirhams. It is dedicated to practical training in the fields of processing, transformation, preservation, and value addition of maritime fishery products.
This unit provides trainees with a learning environment tailored to the requirements of industrial activities related to fishery products. It will enable them to acquire skills in various stages of handling and transformation while adhering to quality, hygiene, and health safety standards.
The goal is also to align training programs more closely with the needs of companies in the sector, ensuring that they produce qualified and immediately operational profiles.
Maritime Training: Supporting Youth Employment
During his visit, Ahmed El Mehdi Mezouari emphasized that the inauguration of these two facilities aligns with the follow-up of several projects launched across various fields to commemorate the Green March and the Unification Festival, in accordance with the development vision of King Mohammed VI.
The minister also highlighted the contribution of these facilities to the training and professional integration of young people in maritime professions. He assured that the department will continue its efforts to support national development dynamics, especially in the southern provinces, where several projects are underway or about to be launched.
An Investment to Enhance the Competitiveness of the Fishing Sector
The two new facilities were inaugurated in the presence of the wali of the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region and governor of the Laâyoune province, Abdeslam Bekrate, as well as the president of the regional council, Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid.
Through these initiatives, the maritime training framework is acquiring additional resources to support the evolution of maritime professions and meet the expectations of economic operators. Beyond improving learning conditions, these facilities aim to enhance the employability of youth, facilitate their professional integration, and strengthen the competitiveness of fishing activities, along with the processing and value-adding industries of fishery products in the southern provinces.
