THE Government of Guyana has launched the Certificate in Paraprofessional Social Services (CPSS) programme in Mahdia to strengthen social services in the hinterland while creating new employment opportunities for Region Eight residents.
According to a release, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, on Friday, officially launched the initiative, describing it as a major investment in people that will strengthen the delivery of social services in hinterland communities while creating meaningful career opportunities for residents.
Addressing the programme’s inaugural cohort at the Mahdia Primary School, Minister Persaud congratulated participants on becoming the first group to benefit from the initiative, which is aimed at addressing the shortage of trained social workers in Guyana’s hinterland regions.
“For too long, many of our hinterland regions have suffered because we do not have enough persons who are trained in social work. Your presence here matters because you are the trailblazers and pioneers of this programme,” the Minister said.
The CPSS programme is being offered free of cost through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in partnership with the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW). It is accredited by the University of Guyana and provides participants with foundational training in social work.
According to Minister Persaud, the programme is designed not only to equip participants with professional skills but also to create a pathway to long-term employment within the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
Graduates will be eligible to pursue opportunities within the Childcare and Protection Agency, the Social Services Department and the Survivor Advocate Programme.
“This is more than free training. It is a launchpad into a career in Social Work. Think about this as a lifelong path, where you will make a tangible impact on the future of the people of your community, your region, and your country,” she told participants.
The Minister said the initiative forms part of the Government’s wider efforts to expand access to qualified social workers, particularly in hinterland regions where the demand for specialised social services remains high.
She noted that Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine continue to require additional trained personnel to provide support in areas such as child protection, family welfare, mental health, gender-based violence and domestic violence.
Highlighting the responsibilities associated with the profession, Dr Persaud urged participants to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, stressing that social workers often play a critical role in the justice system through case management and court proceedings.
“Justice must always be served, and as a social worker, you become part of that wheel of justice. So, when you get into this profession, integrity, transparency and accountability is what will drive you further,” she said.
The Minister added that the programme reflects the Government’s continued investment in human capital development to ensure communities across Guyana benefit from trained professionals capable of delivering essential social services.
“This programme is an investment in the education of the people of Guyana. As our country develops, we must ensure our human capacity develops alongside it, so that every community has access to the support and professional services it deserves,” Minister Persaud said.
The CPSS programme is expected to strengthen the social services sector by increasing the number of trained paraprofessionals serving hinterland communities while expanding employment opportunities for residents in some of the country’s most remote regions.
