It's a breath of fresh air in the fight against youth unemployment and a giant step towards professionalization: the School of Talents celebrated the graduation of its second cohort. This Thursday, November 27, 2025, at the Sofitel Hotel Ivoire, 203 young Ivorians officially received their Professional Qualification Certificates (CQP) , marking the end of intensive training focused on crucial building and public works (BTP) trades.

A Strategic Partnership for an Immediately Operational Workforce

Born from the synergy between Kaydan Group , GIZ (through the Invest for Jobs program) and the Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training and Apprenticeship (METFPA) , this program is a direct response to the growing need for qualified local skills.

The ceremony, presided over by Minister Koffi N'Guessan , underscored the urgency of this initiative. With the infrastructure boom spearheaded by President Alassane Ouattara, the construction sector in Côte d'Ivoire is experiencing a period of rapid growth. The Minister commended the young people's determination, urging them to be " ready to serve the nation " with their newfound skills.

The success of the School of Talents is based on its unique approach: the School-Workshop model.

🏗️ The secret to success: The training is based on a perfect balance with 75% practical, on-the-job training and 25% theory . This format guarantees graduates a rapid and concrete mastery of professional skills.

Private Sector Commitment and Learners' Hope

For Alain Kouadio , Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kaydan Group, this graduation ceremony is proof of the private sector's unwavering commitment. He emphasized that workforce training is now a shared responsibility between the government and businesses. GIZ, the German-Ivorian partner, reaffirmed its support, seeing vocational training as one of the pillars of sustainable economic development.

The moving testimony of Prisca Oulobo , spokesperson for the class (a painting student), was a powerful moment. She confided that this opportunity had been a true personal transformation , bringing them discipline, rigor, and above all, confidence .

“This opportunity has opened the doors to a better future for us.” – Prisca Oulobo, Spokesperson for the graduating class.

The Future Awaits Them

Armed with their professional qualifications, these 203 young people ( 154 men and 49 women ) trained in ten different building trades are now ready to enter a rapidly expanding job market. Their training, true to the principle of "learning by doing," perfectly meets the immediate needs of businesses.

This new cohort clearly illustrates Ivory Coast's desire to build a more inclusive economy, where youth are recognized as a central and qualified actor in national development.