Active since 1959, L’Heure Joyeuse is an association committed to the fight against social and professional exclusion of the underprivileged in the region of Casablanca. Leila Cherif is the President.

“Our partnership with the IECD is a result of a shared interest in opening a Training Center for Apprentices (CFA). This met a need for integration among young people from the Guidance and Professional Integration Unit (COIP) created by L’Heure Joyeuse. Three years later, 81% of the graduates are in work! The quality of the training, its reputation, and the support provided for young people after graduating are the reasons for this success.

The success of the IECD/L’Heure Joyeuse partnership is based on the joint commitment of the two structures that ensures a win-win situation. The two entities bring together know-how, optimum management of public/private financial partnerships, and the co-construction of partnerships with enterprises in the sector. The situation and implication of L’Heure Joyeuse in Casablanca over the past 60 years mean that it has knowledge and expertise with regard to the needs of the poorest populations.

The specific feature of this training is, on the one hand, the reinforcement of the student’s skills before accessing training (life skills, French, computing and recruitment preparation), as well as an open ear with a view to meeting the needs of young people: for example, today, in order to succeed integration, it is common that the CFA invests in bicycle hire or taxi subscription projects so that young graduates are able to get to their work placement or job.

Our pride is having made the search for dignity a reality through training or employment! “