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 OFPPT selects Microsoft Office 365 for job training initiatives across Morocco.REDMOND, Wash.,  Jan. 30, 2013  /PRNewswire/ --  Morocco's Office of VocationalTraining and Employment Promotion (OFPPT), a public training institution thatoffers vocational education across 35 fields of study via 327 traininginstitutes across  Morocco, has chosen  Microsoft Office 365  to help enhanceits education and vocational training solutions. In addition, OFPPT will workwith Microsoft Corp. to create 100 new Microsoft IT Academies across thecountry. This strategic partnership is designed to transform education andenable OFPPT to continue its mission to offer quality training that aligns withthe needs of young Moroccans and the regional economy.(Logo:  
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 )  "The approach we've taken with Microsoft is a model of public and privatepartnership for advanced professional training in the ICT sector," said  LarbiBencheikh, general director, OFPPT. "The use of new technologies will activelycontribute to human development, as well as support the growth of the nationaleconomy and ongoing infrastructure projects through effective, efficient andproven Microsoft solutions."Extending Adult EducationFounded in 1974, OFPPT manages vocational training centers across  Morocco  andprovides diversified services, such as seminars and technical courses, trainingvia mobile units, remote learning, intensive adult training, functional literacycourses, and evening classes. Along with adding 500,000 users to the Office 365cloud solution, OFPPT and Microsoft will create 100 new IT Academies, includingsome in the midst of prisons around  Morocco.  In addition, the partnership with Microsoft is expected to lead to 60,000Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Certified Professional certificationsover the next three years for OFPPT's trainers.Office 365 will deliver the power of cloud productivity to OFPPT institutions,helping to save time and money while increasing student and facultyproductivity. In addition, one of the major factors in the decision to chooseOffice 365 was Microsoft's comprehensive commitment to quality products andprograms, as well as the system's seamless interoperation with the entireMicrosoft product portfolio."These new deployments of Office 365 will give OFPPT trainees the best and mostup-to-date tools to be competitive in the workplace," said  Samir Benmakhlouf,country manager for Microsoft Morocco. "In addition, the new IT Academies willprovide opportunities for people to develop the necessary skills to besuccessful in the 21st century."More information about how organizations are turning to Microsoft technology isavailable on the  Microsoft Customer Spotlight newsroom.Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software,services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their fullpotential.  SOURCE  Microsoft Corp.Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-503-443-7070,rrt@waggeneredstrom.com