Volume 3, 2025 – Issue 3
Towards holistic vocational education in Morocco: The intersection of technical, soft, and language skills for employability
Kaoutar Hanni 
1
Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni-Mellal, Morocco.
Corresponding author: hanikaoutara@gmail.com
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18140261
Abstract
Vocational Education and Training (VET) plays a critical role in equipping learners with practical skills essential for workforce participation. However, the integration of soft skills and foreign language acquisition within VET programs remains insufficiently addressed, particularly in Morocco. This study investigates how combining these competencies can enhance employability outcomes for vocational students. Using a mixed-methods case study approach focused on vocational education institutions in the city of Marrakech (ISTA), the research gathers quantitative and qualitative data from both students and educators. The analysis examines pedagogical strategies aimed at developing technical expertise alongside interpersonal and language skills. Findings underscore the benefits of adopting a holistic curriculum that meets the evolving requirements of Morocco’s labor market. This study offers empirical insights and practical recommendations to support the reform of VET curricula in the city of Marrakech and beyond, contributing to the preparation of graduates capable of thriving in diverse and multilingual professional settings.
Keywords: vocational education and training, VET, soft skills, foreign language acquisition, curriculum reform, employability
Published
2025/12/08
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Section
Research Papers
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Hanni, K. (2025). Towards holistic vocational education in Morocco: The intersection of technical, soft, and language skills for employability. The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, 3(3), 117–140. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18140261
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Hanni, Kaoutar. 2025. “Towards Holistic Vocational Education in Morocco: The Intersection of Technical, Soft, and Language Skills for Employability.” The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education 3 (3): 117–40. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18140261.
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Hanni, Kaoutar. “Towards Holistic Vocational Education in Morocco: The Intersection of Technical, Soft, and Language Skills for Employability.” The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, vol. 3, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 117–40, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18140261.
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K. Hanni, “Towards holistic vocational education in Morocco: The intersection of technical, soft, and language skills for employability,” The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 117–140, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.18140261.
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Hanni, K. (2025) “Towards holistic vocational education in Morocco: The intersection of technical, soft, and language skills for employability,” The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, 3(3), pp. 117–140. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18140261.
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Hanni K. Towards holistic vocational education in Morocco: The intersection of technical, soft, and language skills for employability. The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education [Internet]. 2025 Dec 8;3(3):117–40. Available from: https://ijtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/N30361.pdf
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Hanni, K. (2025). Towards holistic vocational education in Morocco: The intersection of technical, soft, and language skills for employability. The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, 3(3), 117–140. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18140261
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About the authors
- Dr. Kaoutar Hanni is a professor of English language at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni-Mellal, Morocco. She obtained her Ph.D. in 2021, focusing on the implementation of E-learning in Moroccan higher education. Dr. Hanni is actively involved in both teaching and research. She has participated in numerous academic and scholarly events, presenting her research findings and contributing to the academic discourse in her field. Her interests are multiple, including applied linguistics, education, communication and media studies, and cultural studies. Dr. Hanni has a particular interest in teaching English for Specific Purposes and has developed specialized courses tailored to the needs of students in various professional fields.
hanikaoutara@gmail.com
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