Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare is implementing a range of initiatives geared to professionalise the caregiving sector and position it as a valued career with genuine opportunities for progression. In this context, young people, professionals seeking a career change, and individuals driven by a strong sense of service are encouraged to consider joining this essential profession
The Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Arianne Navarre-Marie, made this appeal, yesterday at L’Allée du Vieux Conseil in Port Louis, during the launch of an Open Day for Careers in Residential Care Institutions (RCIs) and Child Day Care Centres (RDCCs). The Lord Mayor, Mr Aslam Adam Hossenally, and other personalities were present on the occasion.
Minister Navarre-Marie underscored that the initiative aims to raise public awareness of the caregiving profession and acknowledge the commitment of carers who carry out demanding duties in RCIs and CDCCs. She expressed concern over the persistent shortage of trained, qualified and dedicated personnel in the sector, noting that RCIs are increasingly struggling to recruit suitably qualified staff, while CDCCs face an acute need for carers trained in early childhood care.
She further explained that the Open Day forms part of a wider reform agenda, which includes the reorganisation of Family Support Services into a one-stop shop for child protection and the fight against gender-based violence, as well as the ongoing revision of the Residential Care Institutions Regulations 2022. The revised regulations will introduce clearer standards regarding staffing ratios, training requirements and protection protocols.
The Minister also highlighted the strengthening of partnerships with key training bodies, namely the Mauritius Qualifications Authority, the Early Childhood Care and Education Authority, the Special Education Needs Authority, Polytechnics Mauritius, the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development, and the Mauritius Institute of Education, with a view to providing accessible, recognised training and certification pathways for carers.
The Open Day brought together key players in the early childhood and residential care sector, namely employers, job seekers, students and training institutions. It facilitated direct dialogue between the various stakeholders and created concrete employment and training opportunities. Potential carers were able to discover career paths in RCIs and CDCCs, meet potential employers for on-site interviews, and obtain advice on training opportunities and available financial support mechanisms.
