Allo/Hello, Mauritian UCT graduate (or soon-to-be!)

Are you curious about what opportunities are awaiting you once you return to Mauritius? This resource provides you some employment related information on your country, hints on where to start looking for work and who to connect with to access professional networks.

Mauritius provides you with exciting possibilities as there is a demand for specialised skills in various sectors, it is the most competitive market in Africa and you have a degree from a world class university.

If you are considering staying in South Africa to work, remember you would need a South African work permit. There is a section on that at the end of this resource.

Economic Overview

Population: 1.263 million (2015)

Total Labour Force: 592 300 (2014)

GPD: $12.62 billion (2014)

GDP Breakdown per sector:

Agriculture: 3.3%

Industry: 23.1%

Services: 73.7% (2013 est.)

GPD Growth: 3.82% (2014)

Unemployment: 7.9% (2015)

Inflation:1.3% (2015)

Sources: http://www.worldbank.org/

https://newsfeed.mu

http://mecometer.com/whats/mauritius/gdp-

decomposition-by-sector/

Mauritius is Africa’s most

competitive market yet again

WATCH:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSbu5DfW

80w

Published on 3 Sept 2014 by eNCA

“The World Economic Forum’s ‘Global

Competitiveness Report’ is out, with Africa’s top

economy coming in at number 38.”

Skills in demand:

PWC points to a decrease in demand for workers in the Mauritian textile and sugar industries but an

increase in demand for specialised skills in the following sectors:

Financial services

ICT

Tourism

Manufacturing

Source: PWC, 2015, Mauritius: Aspiring to a high-income nation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAfxcc1UJcU

Main sectors of employment

Manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, finance and ICTs are some of the main sectors of employment in

Mauritius. Remember that you don’t need to have a degree in tourism or finance for instance to work

in those sectors. Some degrees, like certain types of engineering, are specific to a context, but most

companies need an array of staff to manage marketing, projects, staff needs and more. Don’t limit

your options by looking in a sector specific location unless your qualification is that specialized. The

main sectors of employment listed below is only a starting point as they employ the largest number of

people. There are many more opportunities beyond this list. You just need to work at your CV,

research opportunities and network.

MANUFACTURING

Mauritius is growing its manufacturing capabilities to include items like jewellery, watch parts and

medical devices. In the period 2009 – 2013 the shipment of manufactured goods increased by as much

as 36%. The manufacturing sector employ more than 100 000 people, making it the main sector of

employment in Mauritius. Government investment in the growth of manufacturing and exporting

manufactured goods is evident in the recent infrastructure improvements at Port Louis.

VIDEO: From sugar exporter to fashion hub

Over the past decade, the island nation of Mauritius has implemented a turnaround strategy to drive

international exports and diversify its economy. Having invested in design skills and manufacturing

technology Mauritian textile and fashion producers now supply leading fashion brands, primarily in the

Eurozone and US.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfWHfKBpc3g

Published on 29 March 2015 by Adlip Channel

AGRICULTURE

Although Mauritius was the 14th largest sugar exporter globally in 2015, producers have been

challenged by the EU sugar quotas, competition from larger countries like Brazil and rising sea levels.

To combat this the industry is focused on diversifying into seed production, fruit, vegetables, dairy,

poultry and pigs. Other emerging opportunities in this sector include organic or bio farming and

technology-enhanced smart farming.

Source: http://africamoney.info/budget-2015-sector-scan-sugar-reels-on-year-end-strike-looming-end-of-eu-quota/

TOURISM

Tourism and related products contribute almost 50% to Mauritius’ GDP. The destination has however

only seen a marginal growth over recent years compared to other similar destinations such as Maldives,

Sri Lanka and the Seychelles. Experts propose a make-over for the sector and diversifying products

from only being leisure focused to including niche tourism markets such as health and education.

Renewal in the tourism industry will offer new opportunities.

VIDEO: Tourism: Is there a game plan?

The Mauritius tourism sector is currently faced with rapidly evolving trends. Be it the growth of emerging

destinations, changing traveller behaviour and changes in air travel.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyS0eY5denM

Published on 14 Jun 2014 by l’express

FINANCE SERVICES

Mauritius is fast becoming Africa’s top financial services hub. This is a strategic move from government

to become less reliant on sugar and tourism. The country homes 21 banks, 905 global funds and more

than 26 000 global companies. Mauritius is not only one of the fastest growing economies in Sub-

Sahara it also ranks in the top 20 countries worldwide for ease of starting a business. The financial

services industry is positioned for growth creating more opportunities in the near future.

Source: http://www.moneyweb.co.za/archive/mauritius-africas-next-financial-services-hub/

VIDEO: Growth of Mauritius' financial and services hub

Afsar Ebrahim, Deputy Group Managing Partner with BDO Mauritius joins CNBC Africa to discuss the

growth of Mauritius' financial and services hub.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9bo_uueYG8

Published on 29 Jan 2014

ICT

ICT is contributing almost 7% to the Mauritian GDP and seen as the third pillar of the economy. More

than twenty thousand people work in the 600 plus ICT companies on the island. Mauritius brags with

the highest spot on the ICT Development index in Southern Africa according to a Frost and Sullivan

2016 report. The sector has a fixed line and four mobile operators, a techno park, a third optic fibre

cable and the third most affordable telecom and data costs in the world.

VIDEO: Mauritius ICT sector contributes 6.8% to GDP

With 600 ICT companies currently operating in Mauritius, the island has emerged as an international

and competitive ICT destination.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu_LiIfyrlQ

Published on 3 Feb 2015 by CNBC Africa

Routes to employment

Use a variety of strategies and channels to see what is out there for you. Don’t just limit yourself to

searching for job adverts, also network with people from the industry and companies you are interested

in.

SEARCHING ONLINE

It will be rare for a position not to be posted somewhere on the internet. Digital recruiting is a cheaper

and more flexible option for companies. It should be where you start looking.

Google

If you know what you are looking for and know how to ask for it, Google will find it for you - if it is out

there. When doing internet searches try various search words in combination. Start narrow and then

widen your search. Here is an example:

To find job boards that specialise in job postings in a specific industry for instance “Engineering in

Mauritius”. Type the following in the Google search box:

engineering + job boards + Mauritius

This tells Google to look for engineering job boards with opportunities based in Mauritius. The “+” sign

ensures that all requirements are included in the results. Replace engineering with whatever industry

you are looking in. But you must try out lots of different words and combinations to make sure you have

searched extensively.

Another option can be to replace “job boards” with “job”. Like this:

Engineer job + Mauritius or Engineer job + Port Louis

You can be more specific about the type of engineering or the location in Mauritius.

There are more versions of the word “job” that would yield the results you need. For example:

vacancy

opportunity

position

internship

graduate programme

Try as many as you can think of. Also, remember new jobs get added all the time, so don’t give up too

soon - keep searching over a period of time.

Searching on Linkedin:

If you go to https://www.linkedin.com/jobs you will be able to search for positions advertised on Linkedin

specifically. You can add a job title, or company name or other keywords in the Linkedin search box

and then combine it with Mauritius or a specific location in Mauritius. On the same Linkedin jobs page

you can also set your preferences so Linkedin can filter jobs that you might be interested in.

Newspapers:

Twenty years ago, newspapers were where jobseekers would search for opportunities. They are still a

useful resource; you never know; you might see something you have not searched for. Try the main

newspapers in Mauritius available online:

Leboncoin (Plaines Wilhems) [In French & English]

http://leboncoin.nu/

L'Express

http://www.lexpress.mu/

Le Mauricien

http://www.lemauricien.com/

Here is also a list of recruitment sites focused on Mauritius:

Careerhub

https://www.careerhub.mu/

Jobsearch Mauritius

http://jobsearchmauritius.com/

Jobsite

http://www.jobsite.mu/

MyJob

http://www.myjob.mu

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Professional associations or bodies provide you access to a community of people working in the sorts

of positions and companies where you want to work. Most sectors are likely to have such a professional

association. Some even have more than one. Becoming a member grants you access to a wealth of

insider information such as new developments in your chosen profession or more importantly work

opportunities.

When you head back to Mauritius a good place to start is to join a relevant professional association

there. Start putting your feelers out in your final year, so you can hit the ground running when graduation

is within sight. Once you are a member of a professional association, you will be alerted to their

organised activities usually via email or an online networking platform. The point is to meet and network

with other members of the association, so make sure you attend organised events to benefit and go

prepared to network.

Tips for networking at a professional association event:

1. Dress professionally and appropriately for the event

2. Be your smart, charming self

Remember networking has a social aspect to it. It’s not an interview, but it’s also not a

night out with your friends. Find a professional-sociable middle ground. 3. Make sure you have an updated CV ready

This will enable you to quickly respond if you hear about an opportunity or a member

offers to circulate your CV to his or her contacts. 4. Also keep your Linkedin profile current

People may search for you on Linkedin after the event 5. Take names and business cards of people you connected with

6. Utilise the contacts you made on the next business day

This way you will still be fresh in their minds. Send your CV if they asked for it, or contact

the people they suggested. Be sure to also thank the person who provided you with leads

for opportunities whether they turn up something or not. 7. Search Linkedin for people you met

Here’s how:

https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/302?query=searching%20for%20people%

20on%20Linkedin 8. Send them invitations to connect

Here’s how:

https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/118

9. Personalise your invitation to connect

Rather than just a blank invitation to connect, personalize your invitation. Here’s how:

https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/46662

List of Professional Associations

Accounting

Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants

http://mipa.mu/

Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Engineering

Mauritius Association of Architects

https://www.facebook.com/mauritiusassociationofarchitects/

Mauritius Association of Quantity Surveyors

http://www.maqs.mu/

https://www.facebook.com/The-Mauritius-Association-of-Quantity-Surveyors-MAQS-

1666442756953070/

Professional Quantity Surveyors Council Mauritius

http://www.pqsc.mu/

Institution of Engineering Mauritius

http://www.iemauritius.com/news_cats.php

https://www.facebook.com/IEMauritius/

Council of Registered Professional Engineers Mauritius

http://www.crpemauritius.com/files/index.php

Civil Engineers of Mauritius (networking platform not professional association)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mauritian.civil.engineers/?fref=nf

Green Building Council of Mauritius

http://www.gbcm.mu/

Communication

Association of Communications Agencies of Mauritius

http://www.acamauritius.mu/

https://www.facebook.com/acamauritius

Entrepreneurship

Association of Mauritian Entrepreneurs

http://www.ame.mu/

Health and Wellness

Medical Council of Mauritius

http://www.medicalcouncilmu.org/

Mauritius Physician Association

https://www.facebook.com/mauritiusphysicianassociation

Human Resources

Association of Human Resource Professionals of Mauritius

http://www.ahrpmauritius.mu/

https://mu.linkedin.com/in/human-resource-professionals-in-mauritius-987a1557

Law

Mauritius Law Society

http://www.mauritiuslawsociety.com/

Mauritius Bar Association

http://www.mauritiusbarassociation.com/

Library and Information

Library and Information Association (Republic of Mauritius)

https://liamofmauritius.wordpress.com/about/

Logistics and Transport

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

http://www.ciltmauritius.com/

Retail, Commerce, Trade and Exports

Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI)

http://www.mcci.org/default.aspx

Mauritius Exports Association

http://www.mexa.mu/

https://www.facebook.com/MauritiusExportsAssociationMexa/

Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI)

http://www.msiri.mu/

Mauritius Institute of Directors

http://www.miod.mu/

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/4681323/profile

https://www.facebook.com/MauritiusInstituteofDirectors/

https://twitter.com/M_IoD

Technology

Mauritius IT Industry Association

http://www.mitia.mu/

Outsourcing and Telecommunications Association of Mauritius

http://www.otam.mu/index.php/en/

Tourism

Association of Hoteliers and Restaurants in Mauritius

http://www.mauritiustourism.org/

Transport

Professional Association of Freight Forwarders of Mauritius

http://www.aptmauritius.com/

APPROACHING A COMPANY

You can also make direct contact with companies you are interested in. Visit their website and start by

looking for their jobs section, if they have one. It will be indicated as “careers”, “work for us”,

“recruitment” or “jobs”. If there is something you are interested in, apply! Alternatively, contact them

anyway and ask about their recruitment process and whether you can forward your CV.

Company list:

The list below is only a starting point, use your internet search skills to create a list of

companies you are interested in.

Banking

ABC Banking Corporation

https://www.abcbanking.mu/

AfrAsia Bank Limited

http://www.afrasiabank.com/en

Bank One

http://www.bankone.mu/en/

Bank of Baroda

http://www.bankofbaroda-mu.com/

Broadcasting Mauritian Broadcast Company http://mbc.intnet.mu/

Conglomerates GML (Real estate, Tourism & Hospitality, Financial Services, Human Resources, Commerce and Industry) http://www.gmltogether.com/en/ Harel Mallac Group (Chemicals, Chemicals, Agribusiness, Information Technology, Engineering, Printing, Travel and Leisure and Retail) http://www.harelmallac.com/ Ireland Blyth Limited (Commerce, Engineering, Financial Services, Seafood & Marine, Retail, Logistics, Aviation & Shipping)

Banque des Mascareignes

http://www.banquedesmascareignes.mu/index.aspx?reg=99992

BanyanTree Bank Limited

http://www.banyantreebank.com/

Barclays Bank

http://www.barclays.mu/

Century Banking Corporation

http://cbc.com.mu/

Deutsche Bank

https://www.db.com/mauritius/

Development Bank of Mauritius

http://www.dbm.mu/

Engineering Engineering

Arup (Structural, Civil and Environmental Engineering) http://www.arup.com/global_locations/mauritius EDCC http://www.edcconline.com/ Forges Tardieu http://forgestardieu.com/ IBL Group Engineering http://www.iblgroup.com/en/engineering LUX Consult http://www.luxconsult.mu/ (Civil and Structural)

Telecoms Mauritius Telecom

http://www.iblgroup.com/en/home ENL Group (Agribusiness, Commercial, Investment, Lifestyle and Property)

http://www.enl.mu/ Rogers Group (Aviation, Financial Services, Hospitality, Logistics, Property, Real Estate, Agribusiness, Technology, Investment)

http://www.rogers.mu/en/ Food & Allied Group Food Industry, Farming, Commerce, Training and Education, Logistics, Business Services, Hotels

http://www.food-allied.com/

Consumer Goods Phoenix Beverages

http://phoenixbev.mu/index.php/en/home-1 Grays

http://www.grays.mu/ IBL Group

http://www.iblgroup.com/ PNL http://pnl.mu/ Scott http://www.scott.mu/

Energy

Leal Group http://www.lealgroup.com/energy.aspx Essar http://www.essarmauritius.com/

Financial Services Baker Tillymu.com http://www.bakertillymu.com/

http://www.telecom.mu/ Orange http://www.orange.mu/ Emtel Ltd. https://www.emtel.com/

Technology

Transport Logidis

http://www.logidis.mu/en/home Logwin

http://www.logwin-logistics.com/company/locations/mauritius.html

Travel Air Mauritius http://www.airmauritius.com/careeropportunities.htm

Deloitte http://www2.deloitte.com/mu/en.html EY http://www.ey.com/MU/en/Home/EY-Mauritius

Grant Thornton http://gtmu.com/ IFS

http://www.ifsmauritius.com/ Investec

https://www.investec.com/products-and-services/mauritius.html Kemp Chatteris

http://www.kempchatteris.com/ KPMG

http://www.kpmg.com/mu/en/pages/default.aspx Lamco International Insurance

http://lamcoinsurance.com/ Mazars

http://www.mazars.mu/ McMillan Woods

http://mcmillanwoods.com/McMillanWoods/main/global-offices-mauritius.asp Moore Stephens

http://www.moorestephens.mu/ms/ PWC

http://www.pwc.com/mu/en.html RSM

http://www.rsm.global/mauritius/

CAREERS SERVICE

Your Careers Service at UCT provides you with a link to the world of work through its extensive network

of employers from a variety of disciplines. Resources and opportunities you can make use of include:

Search for work on MyCareer

Book a Career Consultation with a Careers Advisor

Attend career expos and events to meet employers

Many employers have operations in Africa. There is even a dedicated Africa Careers Expo.

Go to www.careers.uct.ac.za to access any of these opportunities.

Working in South Africa

If you studied at UCT (or any another South African university) and you want to remain in South Africa,

you will require a work visa. There are 3 types of work visas available to foreign nationals who want to

work in South Africa.

GENERAL WORK VISA

The General Work Visa has very strict requirements. It involves having a firm job offer or contract from

a South African employer and proving that there is no South African who can fill the position. The

General Work Visa is issued in the name of the employer. This ties you to the company for the duration

in which you work in South Africa. If you wish to change your job or employer, you will need to apply for

a new work visa.

INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER VISA

Foreigners employed abroad by a business that either operates in South Africa or has a subsidiary or

affiliate relationship with a business here may be issued with an Intra-company Transfer Visa if they

need to work in the country.

CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA

The Critical Skills Work Visa is a merger of what was previously the Quota Work Visa and the

Exceptional Skills Work Visa. Work visas for this category is issued in accordance with the Critical Skills

List. You can find a link to this list and more information on the Critical Skills Visa on the South African

Home Affairs’ website. Here:

http://www.home-affairs.gov.za:8087/index.php/scarce-skills-work-quotas

Content last reviewed: December 2016