15:44 - 22.07.2025

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The State Agency for Vocational Education and Holcim Azerbaijan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a partnership. The document outlines joint actions aimed at developing vocational skills in the construction sector.

The construction sector makes a key contribution to Azerbaijan’s economy, accounting for 6% of the country’s GDP in 2024. This sector continues to grow and plays a vital role in supporting the country’s economic development. Holcim Azerbaijan supplies the construction sector with a wide range of innovative materials, including cement, TECTOR dry construction mixes, concrete, as well as CORSO chemical additives for innovative cements and high-performance concrete. In addition, the product range includes GEOBRICK cement-based bricks, known for their high strength and perfect geometry.

The company also holds a leading position in the “green transition” of the construction industry, becoming the first cement producer in the South Caucasus to introduce environmentally sustainable building materials — ECOPlanet cement (2022) and ECOPact concrete (2024), developed to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.

New technologies require modern knowledge and skills from construction professionals. This became especially evident after the “USTA MƏNƏM!” (I AM THE MASTER!) competition organized by Holcim. The contest brought together hundreds of masons from different regions of the country, highlighting the relevance of bricklaying and plastering professions. It also revealed that enhancing professionalism in this field requires a systematic approach.

The parties plan to collaborate on the development of new programs and curriculums, conduct joint training and masterclasses for teachers. They also intend to prepare proposals for integrating sustainable construction principles into existing vocational education curricula.

“This cooperation will help bridge the gap between industry and education, and between practice and training. We want graduates of vocational institutions to have the skills to work with modern construction materials. In our view, the most effective way to achieve this is through partnerships with leading companies like Holcim,” said Ceyhun Keremov, Director of the State Agency for Vocational Education.

“This partnership creates opportunities for systematic workforce development, the introduction of innovation on construction sites, and the promotion of education and training of qualified professionals who will build strong and sustainable buildings, villages, and cities. We believe that through joint efforts, we can elevate the status and quality of construction professions,” emphasized Sergiu Stoikov, CEO of Holcim Azerbaijan.

 

About Holcim: Holcim Azerbaijan OJSC is part of the Holcim Group - a global leader in innovative and sustainable construction solutions. As part of the Holcim Group, Holcim Azerbaijan manages a diverse portfolio of operations, including the historic Garadagh Cement Plant  - one of the region’s leading producers since 1949. The company supplies the construction sector with a wide range of high-quality materials, including cement, TECTOR dry mixtures, ready-mix concrete, chemical addictive CORSO and Geobrick. In 2023, Holcim Azerbaijan expanded its footprint by launching a new terminal in the Araz Valley Economic Zone of Karabakh, reinforcing its domestic reach and export capacity.  The company is also leading the green transition in the construction sector, becoming the first cement producer in the South Caucasus to introduce low-carbon ECOPlanet cement and ECOPact concrete to the market- products designed to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions without compromising performance. By combining innovation, sustainability, and customer focus, Holcim Azerbaijan continues to shape the future of construction, setting new standards toward Net -Zero commitment across the South Caucasus region.

 

About Sate Agency for Vocational Education:The State Agency for Vocational Education is an executive body providing and coordinating the implementation of state policy in the field of vocational education and organizing the activities of vocational education institutions under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Agency is responsible for coordinating vocational education institutions to ensure the training of qualified and competitive professionals. It works to align vocational education with labor market needs by implementing accessible, skills-based, and career-oriented programs. The agency also focuses on strengthening the infrastructure of vocational schools, developing joint training programs with employers, creating methodologies for recognizing informally acquired skills, and managing international projects and partnerships in the field of vocational education.