Restructuring of the Special Training Contracts System

The OFPPT, the Secretariat of State in charge of Vocational Training, the Department of Finance and social partners have undertaken a major restructuring of the Special Training Contracts (STC) System to better support businesses

The OFPPT, the Secretariat of State in charge of Vocational Training, the Department of Finance and social partners (represented by CGEM and UMT) have undertaken a major restructuring of the Special Training Contracts (STC) System to better support businesses, and more particularly SMEs, in the continuing training of their employees. Businesses can now benefit from a reliable, simple and secure instrument.

The revision of the Procedures Manual is the heart of this restructuring implemented through the COPS project (Communication, Organization, Procedures, Information System). This project aims to make information more accessible, through targeted and proactive communication. The goal is to encourage businesses to integrate training into their development strategy, to better express and plan their skills needs and thus to encourage the emergence of training demand in both private and public companies.

What's changing: the main lines of a profound reform

Among the main innovations of the 2006 STC Procedures Manual, the eligibility of private companies is now based on the declarations of the Vocational Training Tax (VTT) for 12 months. In addition, companies can verify their own eligibility and that of training organizations on the portal (http://csf.ofppt.org.ma) set up by the OFPPT and dedicated to STCs. Simply enter the company's CNSS code for this verification. The deadlines for submitting applications have also been revised to prevent companies from having the same deadlines as for year-end accounting work.

Another innovation, the processing and financing of training engineering actions now fall under the Interprofessional Groups for Assistance and Advice (GIAC). The emphasis is on improving and simplifying the interface with businesses.

Similarly, the formula for sectoral training, now called Group Training, has been broadened to include industrial zones. Objective: to strengthen the role of professional associations and encourage SMEs to use continuing training. The procedures for Group Training have been largely simplified, benefiting from the involvement of the associations.

For greater transparency, the financing of training actions is calculated on the basis of a public Cost Nomenclature, revised by the Regional STC Committees, according to the needs of each region.

Among other advantages, the reimbursement rates for certain training actions have been revised upwards. Thus, long-duration training courses (leading to diplomas) are reimbursable at a rate of 70%, capped at a cost of 50,000 Dhs per person per training course. Literacy actions are reimbursable at a rate of 80%, capped at a cost of 3,000 Dhs per person made literate.

For public establishments and state-owned companies, the financing rate for training actions carried out has increased from 20% to 40%, long-duration training courses are reimbursable at a rate of 40% capped at a cost of 50,000 Dhs per person per training course. Literacy actions are reimbursable at a rate of 80%, capped at a cost of 3,000 Dhs per person made literate (instead of 2000 Dhs previously). In addition, the travel expenses of the beneficiaries are reimbursable (capped at 200 Dhs/person).

This overhaul is accompanied by the creation of an agency dedicated to Special Training Contracts in Greater Casablanca, in the manner of a One-Stop Shop.

What's changing in processing

To benefit from the financing of training under Special Training Contracts, companies are required to submit an Administrative file (company identification) to obtain access rights to the system (Passport), a Technical file (identification of training actions) to obtain the Approval Contract and a Financial file (supporting documents) to obtain reimbursement.

The new version of the Procedures Manual is available for download on the STC Portal at: http://csf.ofppt.org.ma

Source: Menara