Human Service Ministry launches Certificate in Paraprofessional Social Services (CPSS) programme with GAPSW and University of Guyana

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in collaboration with the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW) and the University of Guyana, on Tuesday launched the groundbreaking Certificate in Paraprofessional Social Services (CPSS) programme at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

This programme is specifically designed to equip individuals from the hinterland, rural, and remote communities with the core knowledge, practical skills, and ethical foundations necessary to address social service issues within their communities effectively.

They will be able to support Government agencies, function in capacities equivalent to Social Services Officers, and access meaningful employment opportunities.

Delivering remarks, Minister Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud explained that the programme was conceptualised based on the challenges of scarcely finding persons who are trained in social work and can optimally provide care in the hinterland regions.

“This prorgamme will be done in partnership with the University of Guyana, funded by the Government of Guyana, and done through the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network-WIIN. We are hoping to have at least 150 Paraprofessionals trained in the area of social work. We will employ those persons and have on-the-job training. We will then be able to fully staff our facilities in the hinterlands and rural communities,” Minister Persaud detailed.

She further stated, “With this programme, we are also giving a lot of young people opportunities because all we require is a few CSEC subjects. It’s opening the door to more and adding to our Government’s long list of free and building on what is needed in communities.”

The CPSS initiative will truly be a game-changer, expanding the country’s human resource capacity and enhancing the delivery of social services across Guyana with greater speed, efficiency, and impact.

Meanwhile, Debbie Hopkinson, President of GAPSW and a Lecturer of the University of Guyana, noted that programme will decrease the time in which matters are being dealt in the hinterlands.

“This course is going to be offered for persons who reside in the far-flung communities so that whenever we have certain situations happening, we have persons who are accessible and reachable. So, matters will not necessarily have to come to Georgetown, but it can be dealt with, and then the necessary actions will be taken,” Hopkinson stated.

She added that the course, which has 3 credits, will be a ‘certificate’ in Paraprofessional Social Services and will take the form of a feeder-elementary course. Upon completion of the course, participants will then be required to enroll in the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, where they can become qualified for the Introduction to Social Work 1 and 2 programmes.

The Government of Guyana continues to invest heavily in free tertiary education, ensuring that every citizen can afford to upskill themselves, become financially independent, and contribute to the country’s growing economy.