ER Foundation: Aprann programme nurturing the talents of tomorrow in Bel Ombre

Aprann, an employability programme led by ER Foundation, is now active in Bel Ombre, extending its impact and creating new opportunities for local talent. While the second edition is funded by Oficea, a subsidiary of Moka, the Bel Ombre cohort receives additional financial support from Heritage Villas Valriche, a subsidiary of Agrïa. Designed to support individuals from underserved communities to access employment or launch a business, the programme combines life skills and vocational training, mentorship, and hands-on experience to help participants become job-ready and more autonomous. It offers a structured path towards autonomy and advances the Inclusive Development pillar of ER Group’s Sustainability and Inclusive Development (S&ID) Framework.
 

Aprann broadens its impact across regions
 

Since 2023, Aprann’s second edition has empowered more than 175 participants across its first two cohorts (2023–2025). Beneficiaries come from regions where ER Group operates, including Sainte Catherine, Telfair, Moka/St Pierre, Vuillemin, Alma, Pailles/GRNW, L’Escalier and Le Bouchon.  

Aprann is now extending to Bel Ombre and its surrounding region, where 30 participants aged between 17 and 62 have already begun their journey.

“Bel Ombre, where ER Group has been operating here for many years, is full of talent and resources. Through Aprann, we aim to empower the local people to build self-confidence and embrace new perspectives by creating pathways to employment or entrepreneurship,” shares Aurelie Augustin, Project Officer at ER Foundation.
 

A journey of growth, skills and opportunity
 

With a holistic approach to personal and professional development, the Bel Ombre cohort follows Aprann’s three structured phases:

• Capacity Building Programme: Participants attend coaching and self-discovery sessions, and they learn to identify their strengths, build self-confidence and define a clear path forward. To date, beneficiaries have completed 25 sessions focused on emotional intelligence, employability skills, communication, and personal development.
   
• Skills Development & Vocational Training or Entrepreneurship: Based on their goals, participants either follow vocational training in a chosen field or receive support to start their own business, supported by trusted institutions and facilitators.
   
• Placement & On-the-Job Training: Participants gain hands-on experience through internships or placements. This exposure allows them to apply what they have learned, build confidence in a real work environment, and take their first steps into the professional world. Mentorship is an integral part of the programme, providing continuous guidance as participants transition into the professional world.

A collaborative effort for greater impact
 

Alongside the programme’s structured training, ER Group employees actively contribute to Aprann by facilitating sessions that connect participants to real workplace expectations and feel more prepare. HR representatives delivered sessions on key employability skills

Amit Dunneram, Head of Operations and Experience at Heritage Resorts & Golf, is one of them. Reflecting on the initiative, he shares:

“The Aprann programme helps residents of Bel Ombre strengthen their skills and become job-ready. For local enterprises, it also represents an opportunity to access qualified and motivated talent from within the region.”

Alignment with ER Group S&ID Framework
 

Aprann is one of ER Foundation’s initiatives dedicated to enhancing lives through empowerment and inclusive growth. By equipping individuals with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to become autonomous, the programme directly supports the Inclusive Development pillar of ER Group’s Sustainability & Inclusive Development Framework, contributing to stronger, more resilient communities.

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