Imperial links with Ivory Coast college

Imperial Tobacco has signed an agreement in the Ivory Coast to train students from a technical college as manufacturing operators.

“The scheme will enable students to use the skills they learn in the classroom at facilities operated by our subsidiary SITAB Industries,” according to a note posted on the company’s website.

“Up to four trainees a year on [a] dedicated course being taught by the National Institute Polytechnic Houphouet Boigny in Yamoussoukro will be taken on at our Bouake factory.”

A three-year partnership agreement was signed by Jacques Bouende, lead factory manager West and Central Africa, and the institute’s director general, N’Guessan Koffi.

“This is a great way to support our vision of the factory becoming a manufacturing center for learning for West and Central Africa,” said Bouende.

“It represents a real opportunity to identify and recruit the best students locally and invest in the future of our business.”