Africa-Press – Mauritius. A batch of some 152 degree and diploma holders have benefitted from the extension programme of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Employment Scheme.
The SME Employment Scheme launched in 2018 has, in fact, been further extended for a period of one year in Budget 2021-2022 owing to the successful implementation of the programme which aims to place young graduates and diploma holders in an enterprise.
In this context, a symbolic ceremony to remit the letter of offer, was held this afternoon, in Port-Louis, for placement opportunities of the young graduates/diploma holders in enterprises through the Scheme. The Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, was present on this occasion.
In his address, Minister Bholah, highlighted the requisite for the setting up of the SME Employment Scheme to help enterprise flourish while at the same creating job placement for young graduates/diploma holders to help them acquire the necessary expertise and skills to ease their employability on the job market.
He recalled that some 340 degree holders and 117 diploma holders have at date enrolled through the scheme which targeted some 1000 young graduates/diploma holders.
Hence, he encouraged youngsters to take advantage of such schemes. The SME Employment Scheme will also be extended to those undertaking the Technical and Vocational Education and Training, he announced.
Minister Bholah also elaborated on the functioning of the scheme in addition to the matching of skills with regards the requirements of the enterprise. He reiterated the support of his Ministry to SMEs which contribute up to 40% of the Gross Domestic Product of the Mauritius.
He called for more young graduates/diploma holders to come forth and enroll under the scheme as it will bring mutual benefits to both the enterprise and the graduates/diploma holders.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of SME Mauritius, Mr Ravin Rampersad, spoke of the importance of putting in place the SME Employment scheme which has so far enabled some 1300 SMEs to benefit from resources both in terms of financial and labour through the placement of young graduates.
He further explained the rationale of the scheme, which he qualified as a win-win situation for both the enterprise and the graduate/diploma holder by addressing the issue of mismatch on the labour market.
He called for the graduates to avail of such facilities and to derive maximum benefits from the scheme which will eventually acquaint them with the appropriate experience to enter the labour market.
The Scheme
The Scheme aims at developing and at instilling entrepreneurial skills and aptitude among graduates as well as boosting the employability of young graduates.
Employment will generally be for a period of two years, renewed after the first year upon satisfactory completion. This will be both beneficial to SMEs as well as graduates.
The SME Employment Scheme, under the Government Economic Recovery Programme, provides degree and diploma holders placement in enterprises with salaries paid by Government.
The extension of the Scheme seeks to instill and develop entrepreneurial skills among graduates and diploma holders. In addition to boosting their employability, it provides SMEs with an injection of fresh talents to support their development.
A monthly stipend of Rs 14,000 or Rs 10,200 based on attendance will be provided to each graduate or diploma holder respectively, while the employer will pay the monthly travelling costs.
