Shaping the Skills of Today for Tomorrow with Digital Industries Academy (DIA)
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In light of the technological developments happening globally, demand for tech skills such as data analysis, Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity and digital marketing continues to soar, and organisations are increasingly investing in upskilling initiatives to bridge skill gaps and meet demand. Some traditional roles are evolving or disappearing while new job categories emerge, reflecting the shifting demands of the digital era.
To keep pace with the new trends in the labour market, the Economic Development Board (EDB) was entrusted with the responsibility of setting up a Digital Industries Academy (DIA) in 2022 to address the problem of shortage of skills in the ICT sector, create a national pool of talent and also support to bridge the gap between school leavers/ fresh graduates and industry requirements.
The Academy which operates as an industry training platform benefit from a strong collaboration by the private sector through the 3 associations namely the Outsourcing & Telecommunication Associations of Mauritius (OTAM), Mauritius Information & Technology Industry Association (MITIA) and Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Mauritius (CCIFM).
DIA kickstarted with the soft skills courses in February 2023 in line with industry requirements and covers topics such as communication skills, customer service and emotional intelligence amongst others.
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Moreover, trainees were given the opportunity to interact with key ICT players during a 2-hour site visit. The objective is to get them accustomed to the working environment in the ICT/BPO industry and also be apprised on the job opportunities.
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Since its launch in 2022, over 800 participants have already been trained in both IT and soft skills courses. As part of its CSR policy, Huawei Mauritius Ltd provided basic IT related training to both employed and unemployed people in various fields ranging from Cloud computing, Cybersecurity and Data Com. The achievement of participants having successfully completed the program was subsequently celebrated on 5th October 2023 during a Certificate Handover ceremony where the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and development, Dr the Honourable Renganaden Padayachy was the Chief guest.
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It is worth noting that as part of the program, participants who successfully completed the training were offered a stipend of Rs 10,575. Around 30% of the participants have already secured employment upon completion of the courses.
Moving forward, as announced by the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and development, Dr the Honourable Renganaden Padayachy, the soft skills courses will be extended to Rodrigues Island too. In addition, a sensitisation campaign will be conducted by EDB jointly with the private sector to sensitise youngsters on the ICT sector, the jobs, salary scale and other opportunities that exist.
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Testimonies of 2 participants having successfully completed the soft skills training:
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"This EDB soft skill course at Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd. was a revelation, offering practical strategies and actionable insights that empowered me to communicate more effectively and build stronger professional relationships. It's a must-have resource for anyone looking to thrive in the modern workplace.“ Dulloo Zainud-deen
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"Enrolling in this EDB soft skill course at Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd. was a game-changer for me; it sharpened my communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities in a remarkably short time. I highly endorse it for anyone eager to elevate their interpersonal skills and career prospects.“ Ramphul Gitika
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Ground Floor, 7 Exchange Square, Wall Street, Ebene, 72201, Republic of Mauritius
contact@edbmauritius.org | +230 203 3800
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