Cuba supports training of social workers in South Africa
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| Published on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 |
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HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): More than 9,000 unemployed youths in South Africa will be trained as auxiliary social workers by 2010, as a result of a program with the support of the Cuba.
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| South African social development minister, Zola Skweyiya. AFP PHOTO |
South African social development minister, Zola Skweyiya said the implementation of the training program was part of an agreement of cooperation with Cuba's minister of labor and social security, Alfredo Morales Cartaya.
According to South African media outlets, the minister explained that young people will be trained as social workers to provide assistance in their communities to orphans and vulnerable children and youth. They will also try to alleviate the HIV and AIDS impact in their home areas.
Cuba has developed a work training program comprising a formal university level program and a rapid 12-month social work training program.
As part of the implementation of the agreement signed September 3, the Cuban strategy would be replicated in South Africa seeking to alleviate the shortage of social workers and create much needed jobs as part of the expanded Public Works Program in the country.
He said the department would "train and absorb" 9,360 auxiliary social workers by 2010.
Skweyiya was in Cuba to strengthen ties and formalize cooperation on social security, services to women, youth and children, community development, poverty alleviation and the training of social service professionals.
The Ministry spokesperson, Lakela Kaunda said youth from rural and poor communities would be given priority in the national recruitment program.
The cooperation with Cuba would also include study tours and exchanges of technical expertise on policy development. |
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