The Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) held a dissemination session with representatives of the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) on 10 September 2026 at the MITD office in Ebène.

The session focused on three manufacturing subsectors, namely:
•    Food Processing and Manufacturing;
•    Textile and Apparel; and
•    Light Engineering and Precision Manufacturing.

As part of its ongoing efforts to translate findings from the Skills Interface Platform into practical skills development actions, the HRDC presented the key findings of consolidated assessments conducted following consultations with enterprises and industry stakeholders earlier this year.

Discussions highlighted several workforce challenges affecting the three subsectors, including shortages of technical and specialised skills, changing occupational requirements, growing digitalisation and technology adoption, and the need to strengthen workforce capabilities to support productivity and competitiveness. Priority training areas identified during consultations with enterprises were also presented and discussed with MITD representatives.

The HRDC also outlined the skills development schemes and funding mechanisms available to support these priorities, including the Sectoral Skills Development Scheme (SSDS), the National Skills Development Programme (NSDP) and the Skills Development Scheme for Professionals (SDSP).

The session provided an opportunity to explore potential areas of collaboration with MITD and consider how the identified skills needs could be translated into targeted, demand-driven training programmes developed in consultation with industry, training providers and other relevant stakeholders.

Through such dissemination sessions, the HRDC seeks to strengthen the alignment between industry needs and training provision, ensuring that skills development initiatives remain responsive to the evolving needs of Mauritius’ economic sectors.

On 16 July 2026, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) presented the findings of its Skills Interface Report for the Private Health Sector to zone directors, HR managers and officials of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The report covered medical laboratories, residential care homes and private clinics.

The session highlighted a critical shortage of registered Medical Laboratory Technologists, growing demand for skilled carers and Healthcare Assistants as Mauritius’ population ages, and an increasing need for specialised clinical, diagnostic and digital health skills. Participants discussed training programmes identified through the diagnostic and ways to align public health workforce planning with private sector training needs.

The HRDC also briefed Ministry officials on its skills development schemes, including the Sectoral Skills Development Scheme (SSDS), the National Skills Development Programme (NSDP) and the Skills Development Scheme for Professionals (SDSP). The discussion explored how these schemes could support a coordinated response to workforce needs across the health sector.

The session reinforced the value of collaboration among HRDC, the Ministry and private health operators in developing a skilled healthcare workforce for Mauritius.

The aim of the workshop was to guide and empower secondary school students in making informed decisions about their education and career paths. The HRDC supported this initiative by providing valuable information on future jobs and skills across various industrial sectors.

On 12 August 2026, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) held a dissemination session at the Academy of Design and Innovation (ADI), Ébène, with representatives of the Fashion and Design cluster, to share key findings emerging from the Skills Interface Platform for the Food Manufacturing and Textile & Apparel sub-sectors.

The session highlighted the ongoing transition of these industries towards higher-skilled and technology-enabled production, with increasing demand for specialised technical capabilities and stronger supervisory competencies.
A key concern identified through consultations with enterprises and industry stakeholders was the shortage of technical and supervisory profiles required to support evolving production processes, technology adoption and improved productivity.

Potential training programmes aligned with the identified skills needs were also presented and discussed, with a focus on translating the findings into practical and demand-driven skills development interventions.

The session provided an opportunity to discuss how training providers can respond to emerging industry requirements and support the development of a workforce equipped with the skills needed to meet the evolving demands of the Food Manufacturing and Textile & Apparel sub-sectors.

On 20 August 2026, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) held a dissemination session with representatives of the Economic Development Board (EDB) to discuss key skills findings and priorities relating to the Food Manufacturing and Textile & Apparel sub-sectors.

A key theme emerging from the discussions was the need to address the “missing middle” of technical and supervisory skills. As industries continue to evolve and adopt new technologies, strengthening the alignment between industry requirements and training provision remains essential.

For the Food Manufacturing sector, discussions focused on skills needs in areas such as food safety and HACCP, cold-chain management, technology adoption and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Participants also explored industry-based training approaches, including different levels of HACCP training, and the potential to build on specialised training initiatives previously undertaken for Rodrigues. The growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in improving processes and supporting greater product standardisation was also highlighted.

For the Textile & Apparel sector, attention focused on translating identified skills gaps into practical training solutions, including programmes addressing seven priority industry needs. Further consultation with industry stakeholders was identified as an important step to ensure that future training programmes respond directly to employers' requirements.

The session also explored various approaches to delivering specialised training, including mixed-model programmes, collaboration with local education and training institutions, and the engagement of international trainers and experts where specialised expertise is not readily available locally.

Discussions further considered how HRDC funding mechanisms and schemes could support the implementation of industry-responsive training initiatives, including opportunities for collaboration with the EDB where funding and procurement requirements need to be coordinated.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen collaboration among the HRDC, EDB, industry operators and education and training institutions, including UDM, PML and ADI. The objective is to translate skills evidence into practical, demand-driven training programmes that respond to industry needs and technological developments.

On 13 August 2026, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) held a dissemination session for the Health and Nursing cluster at the University of Technology, Mauritius (UTM), to present findings emerging from the Skills Interface Platform for the Private Health Sector.

The session presented key workforce pressure points identified through consultations with enterprises and industry stakeholders across the three sub-sectors. These included a shortage of registered Medical Laboratory Technologists, growing demand for skilled carers and Healthcare Assistants in the context of Mauritius’ ageing population, and increasing demand for specialised clinical and digital health competencies within private clinics.

The priority training areas identified through the Skills Interface Platform were also presented, including laboratory quality assurance, geriatric and elderly care, and digital health literacy. These areas reflect the evolving skills requirements of the private health sector and the need to strengthen workforce capabilities to meet changing service demands.

As part of the session, HRDC also presented the range of skills development schemes and funding mechanisms available to support the identified training priorities, including the Sectoral Skills Development Scheme (SSDS), National Skills Development Programme (NSDP), Skills Development Scheme for Professionals (SDSP) and other applicable HRDC instruments.

The session encouraged training providers and private health sector operators to collaborate in developing co-designed training proposals that respond directly to the skills needs identified through the Skills Interface Platform.