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Nominee Information

Institutional Information
Member State Mauritius
Institution Name Human Resource Development Council
Institution Type Public Agency
Administrative Level National
Name of initiative National Skills Development Programme (NSDP)
Projects Operational Years 2
Website of Institution https://www.hrdc.mu/

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Delivering inclusive and equitable services to leave no one behind
UNPSACriteria
2018.1.1 Introduces an innovative idea, policy, practice or structure
2018.1.2 Enhances efficiency and increase effectiveness
2018.1.3 Provides access and equity to quality services
2018.1.5 Ensures transparency in public service delivery
2018.1.6 Ensures accountability in the delivery of public services

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
.
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education
4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Nov 2016

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? Through the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Delivering inclusive and equitable services to leave no one behind
UNPSACriteria
2018.1.1 Introduces an innovative idea, policy, practice or structure
2018.1.2 Enhances efficiency and increase effectiveness
2018.1.3 Provides access and equity to quality services
2018.1.5 Ensures transparency in public service delivery
2018.1.6 Ensures accountability in the delivery of public services

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
.
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education
4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Nov 2016

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? Through the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative

Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Delivering inclusive and equitable services to leave no one behind
UNPSACriteria
2018.1.1 Introduces an innovative idea, policy, practice or structure
2018.1.2 Enhances efficiency and increase effectiveness
2018.1.3 Provides access and equity to quality services
2018.1.5 Ensures transparency in public service delivery
2018.1.6 Ensures accountability in the delivery of public services

Question 3: Implementation Date

Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Nov 2016

Question 4: Partners/Stakeholders

Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 5: Required Supplemental Documents

Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 6: UNPSA Awards

Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 7: Other Awards

Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 8: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
.
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education
4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development

Question 9: Validation Consent

Do you have any objections to us inquiring about the initiative for validation purposes? No

How did you know about UNPSA?

How did you know about UNPSA? Through the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms

Nomination form

Questions/Answers

Question 1

Please describe the objective of the initiative introduced (200 words maximum)
Lack of demand driven skills work experience is a deterrent to youth employment. The NSDP was developed and implemented since November 2016 as a measure to reduce skills shortage at enterprise level and currently promote youth unemployment. Public-private partnership (PPP) is key to the successful implementation and undergirding the programme for a win-win-win situation. This integrated and innovative skills intermediation approach was adopted to look at the issue of youth unemployment holistically: embedding theory and practical and industrial placement for youths to acquire technical skills as well as relevant and meaningful work experience in areas of high demand with a view to supply relevant skills to the industry. Customized programmes mounted jointly by enterprises and registered training institutions (RTIs) in different sectors ranging between 3 and 12 months duration are delivered to the unemployed youths, aged between 16 and 35 years to make them employable. In a nutshell, the philosophy of NSDP is to fill the short to medium term skills gap through skills intermediation. This programme has contributed to skills and up skill unemployed youth towards employment. The NSDP endeavours to continue to transform the skill development ecosystem by making it a scalable and efficient programme which is more responsive to the needs of industry and citizens.

Question 2

Please explain how the initiative is linked to the category and criteria selected (100 words maximum)
Enterprises contribute in the mounting of training programmes. NSDP therefore is the right framework (structural and financial) to support demand-led training which is relevant to the industry and delivered to unemployed youths. Measures are being taken to mitigate issues, lack of interest to join specific trades, bad attitude towards training) like targeted marketing to boost registration for such courses, participation in job fairs amongst others. The programme is being enhanced through motivating applicants to offer, industry certifications for sustained employability instead of short courses. An NSDP readiness programme is also planned to prepare youth prior to joining any NSDP training.

Question 3

Please describe in what ways the initiative is contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the SDGs. Specify which SDG(s) it is relevant to. (100 words maximum)
NSDP is contributing towards better access to training of unemployed youths, for both men and women. It helps to reduce unemployment and ensure unemployed youths become economically active for a better quality of life. Campaigns are organised to reach out to all segments of the population. The framework for NSDP is innovative and inclusive given that it ensures contribution of both enterprise and training institutions to mount relevant training funded by the HRDC. Keeping in mind the realities of the unemployed youths, the trainees are paid a monthly stipend of Rs 5000 and an additional Rs1000 as travelling expenses.

Question 4

The initiative must have positive impact on a group or groups of the population, especially the vulnerable (i.e. children, women, older persons, people with disabilities, etc.) within the context of your country or region. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant shortfall in governance, public administration or public service within the context of a given country or region. (200 words maximum)
Unemployed youth aged between 16 and 35 years is targeted. Both men and women can apply and there is almost an equal participation by both. The financial and structural nature of NSDP allows all enterprises, micro, small to medium and even large enterprises to participate. Reduction in unemployment rate has been noted since NSDP has been initiated. NSDP is collaborative and Ministry of Labour, Min of Education, CAB offices, employment offices, business Mauritius and other associations have joined hands in this endeavour, having a common goal to skill unemployed youth, which also help reduce social issues amongst others.

Question 5

a. Please explain in which way the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region (100 words maximum)
Both enterprises and training centres develop courses jointly with a structure of funding of training and also supporting the youth. Decentralised approach is used for their registration and many have obtained employment as a result of training under NSDP, thus contributing to socio-economic development.
b. Please describe if the innovation is original or if it is an adaptation from other contexts (100 words maximum)
NSDP has been conceptualised by the HRDC and is an endogenous scheme, not adapted from other context. It has been developed given the realities of the local context.

Question 6

Has the initiative been transferred and adapted to in other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions) to your organization’s knowledge? If yes, please explain (100 words maximum)
We present NSDP to countries to seek information on the schemes run by HRDC and we are not aware if this scheme has been replicated in other contexts.

Question 7

a. What resources (i.e. financial, human or others) were used to implement the initiative? (100 words maximum)
Financial and human resources internal to the HRDC are used.
b. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable (covering the social, economic and environmental aspects) (200 words maximum)
The initiative is sustainable and announced in subsequent budgets from 2016 to 2018/2019. Unemployed youth and enterprises are benefiting from this programme.

Question 8

a. Has the initiative been formally evaluated either through internal or external evaluation?
Yes
By internal and external audits. NSDP statistics is also submitted to the Prime Minister's office and Ministry of Finance on an ongoing basis.
b. Please describe the indicators that were used (100 words maximum)
No, of projects approved, no, of trainees started training, no, of trainees completed training, no, employed following training under NSDP.
c. Please describe the outcome of the evaluation (100 words maximum)
As at date, more than 129 enterprises have participated in NSDP and additional applications are always under discussion and consideration. As at October 2018, 150 projects have been approved for the training of 6522 unemployed youth. Presently there are 4821 trainees who have started training and the remaining will join future sequential batches as per respective schedule.

Question 9

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, coordination, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe what and how stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative. Please also highlight their roles and contributions (200 words maximum)
The strength of the NSDP is its collaborative nature. The HRDC also ensures that all processes and procedures of the NSDP are marked by transparency and decision making in concert with key stakeholders. The NSDP is a joint Government/Private Sector partnership. It is managed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Ministry of Education & Human Resources, Tertiary Education & Scientific Research (MoEHRTESR) and Business Mauritius (BM) and also comprise the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training (MLIRET), HRDC, Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) and Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA). The involvement of the private sector is critical to the success of the programme as it assists in inviting enterprises to participate in NSDP. TEC and MQA ensure quality assurance in the mounting and delivery of courses. The NSDP is supported by the Sub-committee chaired by the HRDC. Following receipt of an application from the enterprise/s and RTIs, the application is considered at the NSDP Technical Committee.

Question 10

Please describe the key lessons learned, and any view you have on how to further improve the initiative (100 words maximum)
Enterprises contribute in the mounting of training programmes. NSDP therefore is the right framework (structural and financial) to support demand-led training which is relevant to the industry and delivered to unemployed youths. Measures are being taken to mitigate issues, lack of interest to join specific trades, bad attitude towards training) like targeted marketing to boost registration for such courses, participation in job fairs amongst others. The programme is being enhanced through motivating applicants to offer, industry certifications for sustained employability instead of short courses. An NSDP readiness programme is also planned to prepare youth prior to joining any NSDP training.

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