WORKSHOP ON SKILLS STUDIES SURVEY FOR AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

 
Dear ALL Valued Alumni and Students of the Faculty of Agriculture,

The Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) is pleased to invite you to the presentation of findings of the skills studies survey for the Agriculture sector. The main objective of the Skills Studies 2017 was to assess the country’s skills needs in the short and medium term as well as to highlight issues related to skills development in the Agricultural Sector. This is an important study as it helps to identify areas of growth and needs for the Agricultural Sector.

.

GRADUATE TRAINING FOR EMPLOYMENT SCHEME

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT FOR 

ALUMNI OF THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE 

ITS NOW OR NEVER 

 Wait no more! 

Register at https://gtes.hrdc.mu by May 13th so companies

know more about YOU !

 

Are YOU a recent graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture?

Do YOU have a degree related to 

Agriculture/Horticulture/Food Science/Microbiology/
Biotechnology/Aquaculture/related fields?

Would YOU be interested in an industrial placement to professionalise your skills?

If you have answered “Yes!” to these questions, an opportunity awaits YOU !

The University of Mauritius is offering training to YOU, under the new

“Graduate Training for Employment Scheme (GTES)”

launched by the Government, coordinated by the Human Development Resources Council,

to help boost your employability !!!

Talk on Career Series- Boosting your employability

HRDC: Identifying new skills needs to service the agro-industry sector- June 2014

In the wake of changes operating in the agro-industry sector, a new revised set of skills and competencies is needed on the part of job seekers to address the new challenges ahead. On that score, a Skills Interface Platform for the agro-industry sector was held on Wednesday 25 June 2014 at NG Tower, Ebène at the initiative of the HumanResource Development Council (HRDC) to debate on the issue. Mr Shane Hurdowar and Prof Y.Fakim Jauferally, Dean of the Faculty attended the workshop.

The platform was attended by experts from both sides, employers and employees, to discuss the market demand and the supply of labour. It will also be an opportunity to have the views of employers and industry operators and training providers and universities.

The workshop focussed on key issues to examine whether educational institutions and training providers give job seekers with the opportunity to acquire the skills in agriculture required to operate in today's modern agricultural industries; the expectations of employers and job seekers. It was an opportunity for stakeholders to ensure that the agricultural curriculum is revised and updated.

According to HRDC, agriculture is more than just farming the land and rearing animals. It is the lifeblood of the country as well as a source of food, animal feed and even provides fuel. In addition, the multi-functionality of agriculture today includes mitigating climate change, regulating water, controlling erosion and providing habitats for wildlife. The sector generated 3.4 % of the country's GDP in 2012 compared to 3.6 % in 2011. Employment in the sector edged up by 0.2% from 47 300 in 2011 to 47 400 in 2012.

However, many people, including youths, have a negative perception of the industry. Findings of the recent HRDC survey on skills shortage have shown that 59% of employers in the agro-industry sector feel that Mauritius is experiencing labour shortage at national level. Hence, the need to create the necessary awareness on career options relating to research, environmental management, engineering, financial management and other technical areas.

The specific objectives of the workshop will be:
 

• Have an overview of the current skills/situation and needs in the Agro-industry sector and also to come up with an updated list of scarcity areas for the sector;
• Synergise collaboration between stakeholders of this sector by aligning the curriculum/training programmes more towards the requirements of large as well as small operators of this sector;
• Find innovative ways and means for training institutions to include dynamic inputs into the design and delivery of new/ongoing training programmes to boost employability; and 
• Propose training/skills development programmes and ways to minimize the information gap between industry and academia/training institutions, and contribute towards addressing specific skills mismatch.

The final outcome of the workshop will be for the HRDC to come up with short-term and medium-term training programmes that will address the skills requirements in the sector.