The PROCIGAR–INFOTEP School of Tobacco Artisans was officially inaugurated and the first class cycle began this week in Tamboril, Santiago, Dominican Republic.
The initiative stems from a partnership between the National Institute of Technical and Vocational Training (INFOTEP) and the Dominican Association of Cigar Manufacturers (PROCIGAR). The vocational training is conducted in Tamboril, a key center of cigar production in the Cibao region.
The school was established to provide specialized vocational training in premium cigar manufacturing, a training area that had not previously existed within INFOTEP’s programs despite the sector’s significance. The inaugural cohort includes approximately 80 students divided into groups, following a curriculum focused on artisanal cigar production. Equipment such as rolling tables, molds, and chavetas was donated by PROCIGAR members, and tobacco for hands-on work is furnished by INTABACO.
What it means for the dominican industry
The opening of a formal educational institution dedicated to cigar production addresses a gap in structured workforce training within the Dominican premium cigar sector. Graduates who complete the certified program are eligible to seek employment at cigar factories, including those outside the PROCIGAR membership.
The training program will continue through its planned cycles under the administration of INFOTEP and PROCIGAR. Participants completing the first course are already positioned to pursue employment opportunities within the industry upon certification.
