The Department of Public Information [DPI] has reported that 12,000 women have been empowered under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security [MHSSS] Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme.
DPI said that this disclosure was made by Minister of Human Services, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, last Tuesday. DPI also quoted Persaud as saying that the number of women empowered constitutes the total since the establishment of WIIN which functions under the auspices of MHSSS.
According to DPI, women received training in Child Care, Care for the Elderly, Graphic Design, Patient Care, Garment Construction, Television and Video Production, Microsoft Office Suite, Home Management, and Administrative Assistance, among others. Additionally, DPI said that the MHSSS recently launched a new skills training initiative under WIIN, aimed at bridging the gap in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as construction. This particular programme was facilitated by the City and Guilds Training programme, offering training in carpentry, masonry, welding, plumbing, and electrical work.
Beyond the WIIN training, the DPI said that Dr. Persaud highlighted other empowerment training opportunities provided for by the government targeting women to allow them to enter the high demand workforce for well-paid skills. These include the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships, the Get Ready for Opportunities to Work (GROW) initiative, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) TVET courses, and the president’s shade house project.
DPI said that Dr. Persaud advised participants to make the most of these opportunities. “All of these opportunities are for you to make the most of them, that is why they are free, that is why they are accessible and inclusive,” According to the DPI, Dr. Persaud further noted that upon completion of the WIIN programme, women can use their WIIN certificate to gain employment or pursue their dreams of owning their own business.
The DPI release also quoted Dr. Persaud as encouraging women participants to pursue independence and not to rely only on public assistance.
“We are giving you this opportunity to uplift and develop yourself. We can’t have a mindset where it is only public assistance, it is there, but it should not be the only answer, so we need to change that.” The WIIN and other initiatives are free, easily accessible, and offers both in-person and online training, says the DPI, and advised that those interested to register via a QR code available on the ministry’s Facebook page or online through this link,
https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdwwO8l6Ci…/viewform.
