–with launch of registration for 2023 WIIN programme

THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) through the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute has begun registration for the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) 2023.

According to a press release, persons have until February 28, 2023, to apply to be part of WIIN, which has been offering free accredited certificates in technical vocational training and has benefitted over 6,000 women since its launch in 2021.

The programme is available to women of all ages across Guyana with classes delivered in-person and online. Persons could register for this initiative online by completing a digital form via the ministry’s Facebook page.

The registration requirements are a valid telephone number, and a national Identification Card or Passport and for online courses, persons will need a laptop or desktop with a camera and a stable internet connection.

New courses for the duration of one to four weeks, entail food tourism, social media marketing, design décor and events management, light and sound engineering (for events and theatre), entrepreneurship, project management, leadership – advocacy and public speaking, addiction recovery, and drug rehabilitation.
Repeat courses, also for the duration of one to four weeks, include child care, care for the elderly, graphics design, home management, television, and video production, and garment construction.

In 2022, some 10,000 persons had registered for the WIIN programme, according to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud.
The majority of the 10,000 registrants were women, and they are from every region of Guyana.

Although all 10,000 registrants could not have been accommodated, Minister Persaud said that there would be the second phase of the WIIN programme, where they will be accommodated.
“We are looking forward to you being a part of this programme, even if we cannot accommodate all 10,000 this year. We will be keeping you on register, so that you will have your opportunity, through the WIIN programme,” Minister Persaud said in June 2022.

She added: “To those of you who chose to register for WIIN, don’t be worried if you haven’t heard from us as yet.”
Dr. Persaud went on to say: “We are making every opportunity available to you, so that you can be trained; free of cost. It can change your life; you can become an entrepreneur; your own business owner. And, of course, we will be very proud of you when you are complete.

“We don’t leave you like that; you get all access to our business resources, and our female business incubator, and free WIIN app to advertise your business.”
Launched in May, 2021, the WIIN programme was established as a direct response to the need for more women to enhance their capacity in order to be gainfully employed.

The app is designed to facilitate both the advertising and marketing needs of women-owned businesses across several sectors in Guyana. Not only does it provide opportunities locally, but may open doors globally since it is available for free download anywhere.

Minister Persaud said: “I urge women across the country to use this app to allow more and more people to appreciate the excellent work they have been doing, and to use the high-quality products they have developed. I am proud of where our Guyanese women entrepreneurs are, and I want the world see them, and applaud them too. Share the WIIN app; use it, and let all see that it’s made by Guyanese women for the world.”