Human Services Ministry going digital to provide ‘faster, improved’ services

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will be digitising its operations even in rural and hinterland regions as part of efforts to deliver faster, improved services to people in need.

This ministry got a $48 billion budgetary allocation this year and as the Parliamentary Committee of Supply engaged in the consideration of the budget estimates Wednesday night, subject minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud highlighted plans to digitise services officers.

Under the ministry’s budget for current expenditures under the policy development and administration programme is a $250,000 sum for training. When questioned about this sum by Opposition Parliamentarian Natasha Singh- Lewis, Dr. Persaud revealed that all staffers will benefit from “change management training” to facilitate a transition to more digitised services.

Change management refers to any training, engagement or approach geared at helping members of an organisation deal with any transition or transformation of the organisation’s goals, processes or technologies.

In the ministry’s case, Dr. Persaud said this training is being pursued so that staff all across the country can embrace digital services.

“… we are looking at change management because we are restructuring the ministry,” Dr. Persaud said.

She later added, “We are looking at improved service time and service delivery… All of the staff countrywide, will require things like tablets so they can input data and process data faster.”

Outside of this venture expected to provide systemic improvements, all of the ministry’s funds were approved by the Parliamentary Committee.

Those funds will allow the Human Services Ministry to continue implementing all of its programmes including those that enable it to provide support to vulnerable groups like children, persons with disabilities, women and the elderly.