After Sarita Devi Ramloghun was laid-off from Arvind Overseas because of all the problems the textile industry was facing, she thought she would never find another job. She is 30 and has only worked in the textile industry so far. Even with her School Certificate, no company in another sector would accept her because of her lack of skills and experience. Thanks to the programme set up by the British American Tobacco Mauritius (BATM), she knows now that “there will be room for me in the hotel industry.”

Launched last Thursday, the aim of this programme is to contribute to solving the problems caused by frequent and numerous lay-offs in textile companies. The idea is to help employees to have training in other fields so that they can easily find another job.

The 30 participants in this project will have a chance to be trained for jobs such as plumbers, electricians, professional drivers of heavy trucks or in techniques of “food production.” The course lasts 3 months.

The initiative – or at least the idea – comes from a reflection made by Manda Boolell to the general manager of BATM. She suggested that it would be nice to help these people who find themselves jobless and “moneyless” overnight.

Some of the participants have already finished their training and are ready to face the professional world again. Some may even create their own business after the training period…