Background

This project was in line with the HRD-related projects for Rodrigues and got the collaboration of Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA) and SMEDA. The Placement programme was officially launched on May 2013 at the seat of HRDC by the Minister of Education and HR, in the presence of officials from Rodrigues.

22 Rodriguan entrepreneurs enlisted by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA) were placed in 16 different SMEs identified by SMEDA in Mauritius. The HRDC catered for the air tickets as well as a stipend of Rs 8000 per trainee. The placement was over a period of 4 weeks in various fields like garment making, printing, horticulture, interior decoration, modern crafts, food processing and photography. The training was evaluated based on attendance and via an evaluation questionnaire addressed to trainees. It goes without saying that this project was very well perceived by the trainees who were also of the view that such initiatives should be repeated in the future.

The aim of the programme was to provide existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in Rodrigues with the necessary practical skills and know how to improve their existing SMEs and to set up new ones respectively.