SOCIAL SECTOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
11
SUSTAINING GROWTH, SECURING PROSPERITY
and Skills Training Initiative. This initiative
is expected to increase the employability of
citizens by providing educating and training
in the essential skills and other requirements
for employment. Coaches are required to
disseminate information on the labour market,
career guidance, on-the-spot resume writing,
interview tips, off-line and on-line applications
for tertiary and technical education institutions,
and counselling to unemployed youths,
students, entrepreneurs, and new entrants into
the world of work.
In fiscal 2012/2013, the Land Settlement
Agency (LSA) of the Ministry of Housing, Land
and Marine Affairs launched the Land for
the Landless programme. This programme
addresses the needs of the landless by providing
a housing solution which offers serviced lots
to families to construct their own homes. This
initiative also offers developed land settlement
areas to which eligible squatters can be
relocated. An estimated 10,000 persons are
expected to access housing over the next three
years via this new programme.
In December 2012, the Social Welfare Division
of the Ministry of the People and Social
Development piloted its Direct Deposit Initiative,
in the region of Sangre Grande, to recipients of
the Senior Citizens’ Pension. The Initiative was
subsequently launched nationwide on Tuesday,
January 22, 2013. The Direct Deposit Initiative
provides a solution for complaints of stolen and
defaced cheques that have plagued the system,
and which compromised the well-being of the
senior citizen population. Through this initiative,
recipients of the Senior Citizens’ Pension can
receive their benefits directly into their accounts
at financial institutions, which facilitates ease of
access to funds through the use of ATM debit
cards.
In fiscal 2013, the Ministry of the People and
Social Development in collaboration with the
Public Transportation Service Corporation
(PTSC) launched the ELDAMO Bus Service for
the elderly and persons with disabilities. The
service was launched in Tobago on November
21, 2012 and December 3, 2012, in Trinidad. The
ELDAMO Service is a para-transit system that
comprises of a fleet of 24 buses and provides a
door-to-door service for the elderly and persons
with disabilities free of charge. These buses are
designed to cater to the needs of the differently-
abled persons and include a wheelchair lifting
platform, and three wheelchair fixing places.The
bus drivers are also specially trained to be more
sensitive towards the needs of the elderly and
persons with disabilities.
During the period July 17–19, 2013, the Ministry
of Community Development hosted its first
biennial Community Development Partnership
Forum and Exhibition. This event targeted all
stakeholders in the Community Development
sector and was organised under the theme:
“Building Communities - Building a Nation.” The
overall goal of the Community Development
Partnership Forum (CDPF-1) was to create
networking and partnership arrangements
among a wide and diverse group of persons
and institutions at all levels. This included local,
regional and international stakeholders who are
involved in community-based development.
The Partnership Forum focussed on three
major thematic areas: Economic aspects of
Community Development; Social Implications
in Community Development; and Institutional
elements involved in Community Development.
As Trinidad and Tobago moves forward to 2014,
the GoRTTwill continue to implement measures
to ensure that social transformation occurs
simultaneously with sustainable economic
development thus securing a stable future for
generations to come.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
