EU earmarks 3.3 million euros to back Morocco's employment drive

The European Commission on Wednesday earmarked 3.3 million euros to back Morocco's employment drive, the Commission's delegation in Rabat said.

The program seeks to downsize joblessness, especially among university and vocational training centers' graduates.

Joblessness hits 19% of Morocco's 28-million strong population and reaches 25% in some specialties.

The amount will back the existing 14 employment information and orientation centers (locally known as CIOPs) and the creation of 9 units specialized in assistance to the setting of small businesses.

The CIOPs are expected to employ 100,000 job-seekers over three years, while the assistance units will train 1,900 project holders and the creation of 600 small firms.