On the other hand, a framework partnership agreement was signed between the group's human resources director for Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, Alliman Yves-Roland and the Ivorian Center for the Development of Vocational Training (CIDFOR ), represented by its director Brigitte Agnissan.

The partnership agreement falls within the framework of the company immersion program for teachers and inspectors of technical and vocational courses, and the new concept “School-company meeting”, launched recently.

This agreement should also allow capacity building and further training for teachers and immersion of learners, through internships and training workshops, within the agro-industrial group.

According to Mr. Alliman, the group gives students the possibility of a practical application of their theoretical knowledge acquired during training in professional and technical establishments, through a renewable three-month internship.

Internships are offered in particular to the three best students in the Professional Aptitude Certificate (CAP) cycles; the Professional Study Certificate (BEP) and the Technician Certificate (BT), making a total of 150 trainees in the industrial sectors, he added.

The Group is also opening its doors for one-month refresher sessions for 15 teachers who should be selected by CIDFOR. He is also prepared to have conferences given by his executives on specific days.

Secretary of State Brice Kouassi welcomed this partnership which aims to increase the employability of young learners and graduates in Côte d'Ivoire, via this act which takes place within the framework of the School / business partnership concluded with the private sector. in 2009.

"In 2009, our technical and vocational education system, poorly adapted to the needs of the economy, contributed strongly to the increase in the unemployment rate (17% according to RESEN), hence the need to bring the community closer to formation of the productive environment,” he said.

Mr. Kouassi also welcomed this civic support of the group in the State's quest to seek solutions for employment and training issues, especially the renewal of internships with the possibility of employment for the best students.

According to the country director of the multinational, Théodore Patheeban, the company wants through this partnership to contribute, upstream, to “develop a talent pipeline”, because it is essential to invest in human capital.

The Olam Group, present in 64 countries, has been operating in Côte d'Ivoire for 26 years. It employs over 5,000 people in processing activities and supplies cocoa , cashews, coffee , cotton and rubber to over 330,000 family farms.