NEISSR organizes program on job opportunities abroad

Dimapur, May 25: North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR), in collaboration with Brainwave Education and Training Pvt. Ltd., organized a program focusing on job opportunities in social work abroad.

Tomy Sebastian, Managing Director of Brainwave Education and Training, served as the resource person for the programme. The program aimed to familiarize participants with social work practices in the UK and other countries, explore further study and job prospects abroad, understand the professional registration process, and highlight the advantages of study visa routes.

Dr. Fr. CP Anto, Principal of NEISSR, in his introductory note gave a brief introduction about Brainwave Education and Training Pvt. Ltd, registered as a private limited company in India and is the sole agency in the country supporting Social Work England Registration and supervised practice.

The organization boasts collaborations and partnerships with over 600 universities across 25 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and various European nations. He stated that the main objective of the program is to recruit social work students from Nagaland, train them, and facilitate their employment in the United Kingdom (UK). He expressed his excitement regarding the MoU signed and stated this initiative as a historic moment for empowering the youth of Northeast India. NEISSR would function as a central hub for recruiting, training, and sending youth from Nagaland to work in social work settings abroad.

Tomy Sebastian emphasized that social work originated from the UK and it is fundamentally a practice-based profession and it promotes the rights, strengths, and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Sebastian noted the significant opportunities for people from Northeast India due to their proficiency in English. He urged faculty members to align theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare students for international opportunities as faculty can be a catalyst for change. He stressed the importance of transferable skills and knowledge, effective communication, knowledge of social work theory and practice models, and understanding relevant legislation etc.

Sebastian lamented the lack of regulatory bodies for social work in Asian countries, including India, and urged academicians to pressure the government for regulation. Sebastian also discussed about registration processes, requirements, career progression, and the benefits of study visa routes in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA and UK.

With approximately 1.2 lakh registered social workers in the UK, Sebastian highlighted their effectiveness across various sectors, including children and families, adult social care, mental health, and services for individuals with disabilities.

He also emphasized on the Assisted and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) scheme in the UK, a one-year employment program for Newly Qualified Social Workers, guaranteed by local authorities. The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Toli H Kiba.

(Page News Service)