ICT Academy: Injection of Rs 50 Million for Training Youth

Making information technology and communication (ICT) the main pillar of the Mauritian economy. It is the purpose of the ministry responsible for this sector. Minister Pillay Tassarajen-Chedumbrum held a press conference to present the training project, ICT Scheme Development Programme which begins in September.

The training is based on two components. The first is to support young people who could not complete their secondary education successfully. " There are young people who have failed their academic career. This is a second chance for them to receive skills and find work , "says the Minister of ICT.

Indeed, in this first case, it is providing training to young people holding a School Certificate, a Higher School Certificate, diploma or license for a period of six months with an internship. The government contributes 60% of the costs and the private sector provides the rest. An allocation of Rs 6,000 is offered to each recipient of a School Certificate holder to a minimum.Those who come with a license receive a stipend of Rs 12,000 per month. The government and the private sector share the costs equally.

The alternative training offered by the ICT Development Programme Scheme is aimed at university. It will last three months and students registered in this category may touch Rs 6,000 per month as allowance. Spaces are limited. 300 students will be admitted for the first three months to December 2012.

The training also extends to young people who are unemployed. The whole program will be supervised by the chief of staff of the Ministry of ICT, Gondeea Vishnu and the chairman of the Joint Economic Council (JEC), Raj Makoond.

Dev Manraj, Director of Project Management and Delivery Unit at the Prime Minister's Office also attended the briefing. He says, for his part, that this initiative will be beneficial to young people who are unable to find work.

Makoond Raj says, for its part, the private sector allows rapid training. " This sector is growing and fast-track training is imperative , "says the chairman of the JEC.