Community-oriented interventions

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud’s outreach across Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Wednesday continues the tone and pace set by President Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo of how targeted, community-focused initiatives can advance national development. By taking government services directly into Corriverton, Albion, and New Amsterdam, the ministry showed that women’s empowerment is a tangible, actionable component of economic progress. The engagement highlights the crucial intersection between skills development, employment access, and inclusive growth, positioning women as central actors in shaping Guyana’s future.
The outreach was structured around three complementary objectives, enhancing access to training, facilitating immediate employment opportunities, and fostering long-term economic participation. This approach reflects an understanding that effective policy must extend beyond administrative measures and reach the communities it intends to serve. By meeting directly with women, jobseekers, educators, and community leaders, the outreach ensured that initiatives respond to the specific needs of local populations while encouraging active participation in Guyana’s evolving economy.
A cornerstone of the initiative was the promotion of skills development through the Women’s Innovation Investment Network. The programme offers free, hybrid training combined with internationally recognised City and Guilds certifications in areas such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, welding, and electrical installation. This training equips women not only with technical expertise but also with the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship and community-based economic activities. By presenting skills acquisition as a necessary step toward financial independence, the initiative reinforces the principle that economic empowerment is both a personal and a national imperative.
Crucially, these training opportunities are aligned with emerging sectors that hold significant potential for economic growth. The outreach emphasised the care economy, skilled trades, and community-based enterprises, as well as the opportunities inherent in the orange economy. These sectors provide viable pathways for women to engage in productive, innovative, and sustainable economic activity. By equipping women with skills relevant to these areas, the initiative strengthens the workforce while fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that benefits both communities and the national economy.
The Region Six engagement also delivered immediate, measurable outcomes through on-site recruitment drives. Job fairs conducted in Corriverton, Albion, and New Amsterdam allowed jobseekers to submit résumés, undergo interviews, and be considered for positions such as probation and social service officers, data entry clerks, and cleaners. The direct connection between skills training and employment demonstrates a practical, results-oriented approach that enhances the relevance of government programmes. It ensures that women can transition from training to meaningful employment without unnecessary delays, thereby reinforcing the cycle of empowerment and opportunity.
This initiative underscored that governance is characterised by policy formulation as well as by effective implementation.
When women are empowered through training, employment, and entrepreneurship, the benefits extend to families, communities, and the national economy. Increased female participation in the workforce contributes to poverty reduction, stimulates local business development, and strengthens cohesion. Moreover, fostering skills in both traditional trades and emerging sectors ensures that the workforce remains adaptive and capable of meeting the demands of a dynamic and diversified economy.
By combining skills development with job readiness and access to government services, the initiative bridges the gap between policy and practical impact. I
Ultimately, the such initiative which have been the model of the current administration offers an example for inclusive development, positioning women as central contributors to Guyana’s economic transformation. By linking training, employment, and entrepreneurship with strategic economic sectors, the government ensures that growth is equitable and sustainable. The engagement is a clear signal that women’s empowerment is integral to national development, reinforcing the principle that a society thrives when its women are fully equipped and actively participating in the economy.
The outreach serves as a timely reminder that community-oriented interventions can drive significant socio-economic progress.