The Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status is proud to present four dedicated Seychellois men and women in their respective post from three different sectors of our economy who got promoted under the localization programme in 2019 and 2020

In the effort to continue supporting our Seychellois to take up employment in different sectors of our economy especially to occupy senior positions in different companies the Employment Department met with 4 candidates on the localization programme that have successfully been promoted within their respective departments.

Mrs. Effie Raoul a mother of three children started her career at Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) as a journalist and later moved to Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) as a Senior Public Relations Officer.

I joined Seychelles Trading Company (STC) in December 2013 as a Customer Care Officer and nine months later, I was approached by my ex Chief Executive Officer, to oversee the supermarket in the absence of the General Manager who was going on official visit overseas.

An opportunity, which I accepted even with many challenges but along the way I received the support of the management team and colleagues. During the time, I took the opportunity to learn new things in a positive way even when there was time I felt discouraged. The company recruited a new General Manager the current Chief Executive Officer, and in her position as General Manager she taught me a lot and I worked very closely with her.

In April 2016 I was promoted to Unit Manager. After 4 years in position I was promoted to my current position as Floor General Manager in the Hypermarket Unit at Bois de Rose in August this year replacing an Indian National.

In my current position, I oversee different sub Units such as coffee shop, perishable section, dry goods, customer care, gift boutique, home and living and cashiering. I ensure the shelves are stocked up as per STC’s standards and follow up on goods requests, ensure the commodity meets customer needs and prices are affordable. I liaise a lot with Import section to ensure quality items are brought in based in part on customer’s feedback and ensure to be consistence with the product that is in high demand

In my capacity as General Manager, I am responsible for around 100 staff including some non-Seychellois. Good leadership skills has though me how to deal with different background and culture. I am happy to say that I also have everyone’s support and cooperation.  I have a motivated and ambitious team always eager to learn.  I always push them to learn new things and glad that they actually put it into practice. My biggest challenge is absenteeism that affects operations and cause instability in the plan.

My word of encouragement to anyone who has been offered the chance to be in higher positions through the localization programme is to not be afraid to take on more responsibility. There is a lot of challenges but with determination, support and willingness nothing can stop you.

In the next five years, I see myself still working with the company and still sharing my knowledge with others.

As a mother working shift does not give me much time to spend with my family but whenever I am home I make sure to give them maximum attention at the same time keeping up with what I like to do such as listening to music and baking.   

Ms. Mary-Anne Bristol joined Seychelles Trading Company (STC) in March 2008 same time the company was changing owners from Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB).

I joined the company in March 2008 as an Assistant Store Manager and I was one of the staff who was there for the pre-opening of the company. I occupied the post for eleven years. Through the localization programme, I spent a lot of time with the ex-Store Manager Mr. Binay, an Indian national who taught me a lot and in June 2019 I was promoted for the position of Store Manager in the Dry Goods Warehouse.

Mainly my day-to-day task is to handle all receiving goods, and ensure all merchandise are entered and recorded in the system. I coordinate also with other service providers, plan ahead to prioritize goods that need to be released first to keep the shelves in the other unit full, ensure efficient unloading of goods to minimize cost to the company. In addition, if I have to step in to do something to assist my team I gladly do so, and in the absence of another Manager from another Warehouse I oversee their unit and vice versa.

As a Store Manager, I have seven persons that falls under my responsibility, and as part of a rehabilitation programme offered, I also work with convicts by delegating the work required to be done but they do the task under the supervision of a prison guard.

The job is challenging especially when I need to ensure all stores receive their goods for deliveries, and shortage of manpower even if it is only one staff can cause delay in deliveries. Nevertheless, I do feel happy and satisfied when I have accomplished by clearing the containers and able to release it and avoid the additional cost on handling.

After so many years in the field, I have accomplished a lot in terms of skills and I have attended a lot of training such as management training, which is an additional requirement to perform with confidence.

For the others who are in the process and has been asked to join the localization programme I would encourage you to take up the opportunity. Do not miss out but give yourself a chance and try as in life nothing comes easy. You will face some challenges but your success will depend on your willingness to move forward.

As for companies who have not yet considered the programme I will encourage you to enroll as it will also benefits your business to discover the potential of our Seychellois people who have a lot of experience just waiting for a chance to prove themselves.

(3^rd from L to r) Mr. Jude Anacoura with some of his Engineering Team

Mr. Jude Anacoura, completed his studies from P1 to P9 at Anse Etoile School, attended National Youth Service (NYS) for 2 years, and continued his advanced studies at the Seychelles Polytechnic for his O and A-Levels. After his A- Level studies, he started a temporary Teaching position for one year while waiting for his admission to university as a Maths and Science Teacher at English River School.

I pursued my studies In Germany for seven years in TUD (Dresden University of Technology). In 1995 when I came back home, I worked at Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) for 14 years starting as a graduate Engineer and then as Senior Engineer which later I was promoted to Production Engineer where I was in charge of the power station for Mahe and Praslin. I then moved to Indian Ocean Tuna for 9 years as an Engineering Manager. Three years ago I joined Eden Island Village Management Association (VMA) as a Deputy Maintenance Manager in Maintenance Department.

When I joined the company the position was occupied by a French national, who was very helpful and showed me how the operations work like the rules of the village, different software’s and so on. The transition period went well and I have been officially occupied the position as Maintenance Manager since July 2019.

My Department is the one responsible for all the residential property at VMA. I oversee around 50 staff in different sections like air conditioning, carpentry, garbage removal, administrators, plumbers and electrician. We manage the property by dealing with all complaints or requests received from the property owners through our call center, which they operate 24hrs to accommodate 500+ properties. Those complaints or requests is sent to our administrators which they delegate to the team leader of the recommended section to attend to the tasks.

My every day task I attend to emails, deal with complaints, liaise with contractors, verifies the work on site, meet with clients to resolve issues. Am happy with what I do despite the challenges and issues but I look forward every day to come to work. My biggest challenges is staffing as we do not get the qualified candidates or selected candidates are not consistent. We deal with different clients so expectations vary. Nevertheless, I have been through more challenging experiences when I first joined the world of work and today I am confident in what I do.

In all my years in Engineering, the skills I have were mostly centered around the different machinery and the staff, but at VMA besides this I also need to interact with the clients on a daily basis.

I would encourage everyone who are on the localization programme to think positively and be willing to do the work for what they want to achieve in life, as Seychellois people are hardworking and we can meet a lot expectations.

For the future I am not thinking about starting over in another position, which if all goes well I will stay until my retirement age. I enjoy what I do and in this field there are new things, new technologies which make the work always interesting and the learning never stops.

Mr. Paul Pillay knew from the very young age what he wanted to be in life. He pursued one-year studies in Hotel School in 1981 in the kitchen department. He was first introduced to the company Skychef through his internship and after he graduated, he continued his career journey with the company.

During my first 15 years with the company career-wise I gained a lot of experience.  I started as a Commis Chef after my studies and was in that position for about eight years. I was promoted to the position of Cook where I stayed for five years and then was promoted to Senior Chef. During those times, I got the chance to attend training overseas at several destinations such as France.

I left the company for 2 years where I went to Praslin for a change of scenery and worked in a take away. After the 2 years in the year 2000 I came back to Skychef and was offered again the same position of Senior Chef and occupied this position until November 2019 when I was promoted as Executive Chef, under the localization programme to replace the Executive Chef from South Africa.

My biggest thanks goes to Mr. Jean Delcy who was an Executive Chef with the company, he was very helpful and a good teacher, contributing a lot in my development until he retired. There was also the Executive Chef and Production Manager both from South Africa who gave me full support during my localization process.

To be an Executive Chef it is not easy and that carries a fair load of challenges when there is high level of expectations from all partners. I run the kitchen with a team of around 40 staffs. I check requisition, oversees all working stations, make sure the place is clean and equipment and products are available for our daily operation.

The kitchen is a place where you need to work as a team to accomplish and meet expectations. If your team does not have the right attitudes, and do not pay attention to details that could make things difficult. My challenge is getting the cooperation of everybody at times to ensure the service we offer is on a very high standard to meet our client’s expectations.

I am very happy with my job, there are always new developments and new creations that happen in the kitchen. I learn new things every day especially when there are private flights, the menu is not static as the normal commercial flights, it requires some research and to be creative that at the end of the day is always an accomplishment.

For colleagues who have the opportunity to grow I will encourage you to take up the challenge, it will take some perseverance and willingness to go the extra mile but you have to face your fears no matter what. We have the ability just as the foreigners who come to take up the high positions it is just that we need to put our hidden ability into action.

The pandemic has affected all of us and for us who still have a job until now cherish it and do everything in our power to secure it. It is no longer a time to play around, the situation is getting critical.

I joined the industry very young and the idea of having my own business crossed my mind before but now I am comfortable and if all goes well I might stay for another five or more years depending on the situation. Nevertheless, I am thinking that after this journey I will just retire and let the young people take over.

CONTRIBUTED BY:   Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status