ER Foundation builds futures through the Aprann programme

Aprann is an employability programme by ER Foundation (formerly ENL Foundation) designed to help individuals who face barriers to employment secure jobs or start their own businesses. Through life skills and vocational training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, Aprann offers a structured path towards autonomy. It is a programme built on belief in people, in potential, and in the power of guidance to ignite impact where it is needed most.

Aprann, a shared commitment to employability and inclusion
 

ER Foundation first launched Aprann in 2020 in collaboration with HSBC Mauritius. The programme adopts a holistic approach to personal and professional development and is delivered in three key phases, each designed to promote autonomy and employability and support the Inclusive Development pillar of the ER Group’s Sustainability Strategy:

• 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.
• 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: Finally, participants gain hands-on experience through internships or placements. This hands-on exposure allows them to apply what they’ve learned, build confidence in a real work environment, and take their first steps into the professional world.

Strengthened by collaboration
 

In 2023, the second edition of the programme was launched in collaboration with Oficea, a subsidiary of ER Group. A new evolution to the programme was the introduction of a structured mentorship component, which is particularly impactful during the final phase as participants begin internships or job placements. Mentors from ER Group and Oficea’s network offer consistent guidance throughout this important transition.  

Real progress, real impact
 

The first two editions of Aprann have made a positive impact on the professional journeys of participants across Mauritius. Individuals from regions where the ER group operates, including Sainte Catherine, Telfair, Moka/St Pierre, Vuillemin, Alma, Pailles/GRNW, L’Escalier and Le Bouchon, joined the programme in search of an opportunity to learn, grow and become independent.

Aprann has supported hundreds of participants across Mauritius in taking their first steps toward autonomy. The first edition (2020–2023) saw 133 individuals complete the programme, with 47 successfully launching their own businesses under ER Foundation's guidance. The second edition of Aprann (2023–2026) has also shown strong results, with over 250 participants moving into employment, including roles at Oficea and its network, while others are now running their own ventures or continuing technical training.

The Aprann programme was also extended to the Bel Ombre region and surrounding areas in 2025, with the support of Oficea and another Group subsidiary, Heritage Villas Valriche. Over 20 beneficiaries joined the programme, beginning their journey in the professional or business world.

Read more here.
 

The journey continues
 

With a third edition in the pipeline, the Aprann programme continues to drive inclusive, sustainable development. At its heart lies a simple yet powerful belief: when people are given access to tools, trust, and support, they grow, contribute and carry that momentum forward into their families, their communities, and the future.

Alignment with ER Group’s sustainability strategy
 

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 strategy.