The Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services has increased its staffing of Social Service Delivery Officers.
They are expected to begin working at the various social services departments across the country next week.
Following the end of a five-day training programme for 30 new officers at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation on Friday, Minister Vandana Mohit said the job of a Social Service Delivery Officer must not be taken lightly.
“It is about calling. It is about responsibility, and above all it is about people. Each of you seated before me represents a deliberate investment by this government into a system that must work, not for the privileged few but for the many who depend on us in their most vulnerable moments.”
The Minister reminded the new officers that they must carry out their duties with integrity.
“You are now ambassadors of the poor and ambassadors of the vulnerable. This is not a title to be taken lightly. It means that when a mother walks into an office unsure of how she will feed her children, you must be the calm to her uncertainty.”
Meanwhile, in a statement to the House of Representatives, Minister Mohit revealed that staffing issues at the Ministry are being addressed. She noted that new staff were carefully selected.
“Three hundred and ninety-two applicants from individuals expressing interest in the position through EmployTT’s online portal, 213 persons shortlisted and invited to complete a written assessment exercise comprising of four sections that sought to test applicants’ critical thinking skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, planning and organisation skills, ethics and confidentiality awareness, and organisational writing skills.”
Minister Mohit urged the new officers to carry out their responsibilities with honour and to uphold the values of the Ministry.