President James Michel’s National Day address - Government to pay 40% of young people’s salaries |01 July 2015

Private companies are being encouraged to recruit more young people who have completed post-secondary institutions and are unemployed and government will pay 40% of their salaries for one year.
President James Michel made this bold remark in his National Day address on June 29 at Stad Linite.

He said the scheme will begin in 2016 adding that the government is encouraging private companies to recruit more young people who have completed post-secondary institutions and are unemployed.
“As an incentive, we are proposing that government pays 40% of the salaries of such young people who are employed by private companies for a period of one year, for salaries up to a maximum of R7,000 a month. We shall begin implementing this scheme in 2016.

“Let us work together for the development of our youth. Help them to become exemplary workers. Free their hands. Prepare them to take over the direction of the country. Let us educate our children to appreciate what we are as a people, the things we have accomplished together. Let us teach them to build the future together,” said the President.

Mr Michel reiterated his wish to see Seychelles become a knowledge-based society, a knowledge-based economy.
 “A society where in each family there will be one or more graduates. This is happening gradually. Our ambition is achievable, but it must all start with a sound education. By strengthening the quality of the foundation and the structure of our system of education, so that it better meets the needs and expectations of the New Seychelles. This is a matter which has been the subject of much debate in the National Consultative Forum. And I thank members of the Forum for their advice and suggestions they have made on education.

“After much deliberation, my government has decided to extend the period of compulsory education from 10 years to 11 years, that is, up to Secondary 5. This will better prepare our youth for post-secondary education, equip them better for the world of work, and help them become better citizens,” stated Mr Michel.

He noted it is good that we are continually reforming and boosting our education system, but this alone is not enough.

“What do we do with all the youth who complete studies in post-secondary institutions? What opportunities, what hope, do we give to all these young people for their integration into the world of work? For the start of a satisfying career?,” asked President Michel.

And he noted that his government is constantly reflecting on this matter, adding that the youth of Seychelles are the future and the hope of our country.
“How do we help them realise their dreams, their ambitions, their aspirations? I think that one of the main measures is to offer them the opportunities for decent, productive and remunerative work that will enable them to realise their potentials to the maximum. Partnership with the private sector – particularly with its principal representative, the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce & Industry – is indispensable,” said Mr Michel.