INTERNATIONAL accreditations for some of the programmes being offered under the Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) may eventually become possible through a partnership with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and School of the Nations. The subject was discussed on Friday when subject Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, and Permanent Secretary, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, met with Director of Nations, Pamela O’Toole and other representatives of the school on formulating structured internationally certified training programmes for women, youths and persons with disabilities. Minister Persaud took the opportunity to update the school’s representatives on the recently launched WIIN programme that seeks to economically empower women. The Nations representatives committed to collaborating with the ministry on this new initiative and undertook to formulate proposals for targeted training that is expected to be impactful and bring about measureable positive changes in the lives of individuals. Nations also handed over two scholarships to the ministry.

WIIN, a brainchild of Minister Persaud, is available both online and in-person across the country and seeks to provide women and girls with economic benefits, along with an enabling environment to help them boost their self-confidence and individuality. Whether persons are interested in garment construction, ICT, graphic designing, video editing, photography or interior decorating, the ministry is moving to cater for major development in the country. WIIN will also include the provision of functional, business, social issues, and legislative literacy, and will cover areas in anger management, emotional intelligence, coping mechanisms, as well as information on support systems from the ministry. Each course will be followed by an assessment, and the top five students will be eligible for assistance to start up their businesses.