A technological laboratory (TechLab) equipped with state-of-the-art technology will soon be established within the Jacqueville Vocational High School. The facility is designed to introduce students to cutting-edge fields such as automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and more. The TechLab is expected to be completed by the end of the year thanks to a partnership between the Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Apprenticeship and the Eranove Group, through its subsidiaries Atinkou and Eranove Academy.
The Minister in charge, N’Guessan Koffi, not only laid the foundation stone for the TechLab on Thursday, April 10, 2025, but also signed a partnership agreement with the CEOs of Atinkou and Eranove Academy, N’Guessan Kouassi Bernard and Paul Ginies, respectively. The ceremony was also attended by Marc Albérola, CEO of the Eranove Group.
“The creation of a TechLab within the Jacqueville Vocational High School marks a significant milestone in the modernization of facilities and improvement of learning conditions for students. This technological lab, accessible to students, as well as to the people of Jacqueville and its surroundings, will allow young people to be introduced to new technologies and future careers. The laboratory will also serve as an incubator for technological innovation and idea development,” explained Minister N’Guessan Koffi.
During the ceremony, the Minister expressed his satisfaction with the choice of the Jacqueville school, which is intended to become one of the flagships of the vocational education sector in Côte d’Ivoire:
“Since 2022, the Ivorian government has begun renovating the school's dormitory and cafeteria. These renovations will continue as part of the Youth Employment and Skills Development Project (PEJEDEC 3), focusing on workshops and classrooms starting in 2026. In the meantime, investments are underway to launch a Transport and Logistics program under the Debt Reduction and Development Contract (C2D 2), as well as a Lu Ban Workshop for agricultural machinery offered by Chinese cooperation. The TechLab, generously provided by the Eranove Group, will significantly enhance the school’s modernization efforts.”
According to Marc Albérola, the Eranove Group CEO, the project, estimated at over 300 million CFA francs, will provide students, professionals, and the local population with a space to train, experiment, create, and innovate:
“This TechLab will allow many young people to acquire technical skills directly aligned with labor market needs. It will contribute to the training of a qualified workforce ready to join both local and national industries. It will also foster innovation and entrepreneurship through the resources provided and the educational support of Eranove Academy. Ultimately, it will help shape the talents of tomorrow—perhaps even future industry leaders.”
It is worth noting that Atinkou is an independent power producer, and Eranove Academy is dedicated to developing industrial skills. The Eranove Group is a pan-African industrial conglomerate whose mission is to make essential services such as water and electricity more accessible, actively contributing to the sustainable development of African economies.