Daikin Aims to Lead HVAC-R Industry in Morocco

The manufacturer signs a strategic partnership with OFPPT to upskill a new generation of technicians in the nation

Daikin Middle East and Africa FZE (‘Daikin’), a leading manufacturer of air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and refrigeration solutions, has announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion (OFPPT), the leading public institution of vocational training in Morocco, headquartered in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco. Daikin MEA and OFPPT are united by a vision to build a highly skilled HVAC-R workforce in the country.

The MoU was signed by Tuna Gulenc, Vice President at Daikin Middle East and Africa, and Loubna Tricha, Director General at the Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion (OFPPT), at Daikin MEA headquarters located in Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Africa is going through a major transformation that has attracted significant global attention. The region poses substantial growth opportunities for both global and local businesses. Leveraging its global expertise, Daikin has established a strong foundation in Africa built on collaboration with local dealers, distributors, and technicians. Over the years, the company has invested in local citizenship with the establishment of brand shops, and training centers, in addition to making its latest innovations accessible to the people of Africa. Through a collaborative effort, Daikin and OFPPT will bring together their expertise to cultivate a top-tier talent pool for Morocco's HVAC-R industry.

With this partnership, we aim to build a new generation of highly skilled workforce for the HVAC-R industry and mark our significant contribution to the socio-economic development of Morocco.

Tuna Gulenc, Vice President at Daikin Middle East and Africa

Commenting on the collaboration, Tuna Gulenc, Vice President at Daikin Middle East and Africa, said, “For Daikin, innovation is a part of our DNA and local citizenship is how we operate. After successfully establishing training centers with the right partners in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, we now wish to share our expertise in Morocco. Partnering with institutions like OFPPT is not just our go-to-market strategy to advance the HVAC-R after-sales service, but with their solid network and our shared vision, we will penetrate the Moroccan HVAC-R industry to promote sustainable cooling practices that can only be met by educating the local market and its users. With this partnership, we aim to build a new generation of highly skilled workforce for the HVAC-R industry and mark our significant contribution to the socio-economic development of Morocco.”

Daikin and the OFPPT are joining forces to strengthen the ‘Refrigeration and Thermal Engineering (FGT)’ programme in Morocco to design new advanced training programs, update curricula, and exchange programs. Young graduates will also be exposed to internship opportunities within Daikin's network of partners. This unique collaboration between Daikin MEA and the OFPPT demonstrates their shared dedication to human development and social well-being.

Loubna Tricha, General Director of the OFPPT, stated, “Today, we have entered into a partnership with Daikin, a global leader in refrigeration and air conditioning, to develop professional training in these fields both in Morocco and Africa. This partnership will allow us to expand our training offerings through the introduction of new courses targeting emerging professions in the sector. It will also strengthen our collaboration in engineering to design advanced training programmes that incorporate the latest technological innovations and professional practices. The partnership between the OFPPT and Daikin will also provide us with the opportunity to enhance our teaching staff in newly identified disciplines and associated technologies through dedicated technical training sessions and immersive internships.”

OFPPT is the primary public vocational training operator, thriving on the objective of improving the effectiveness of industry partners by ensuring the training of employees. The training is provided based on a demand-driven strategy meeting the qualification needs and requirements of the labour market.

Daikin is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.