Northern Caribbean University's (NCU's) first-ever social work majors recently participated in language and content examinations, which took them one step closer to being the first-ever NCU alumni to have completed the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work degree.

According to NCU, this was not a small feat, especially considering that the last time Jamaica introduced a similar programme was at the University of the West Indies (UWI), in 1989.

"Though participating students and faculty alike are excited about this monumental achievement, the profession of social work remains a mystifying one to many persons and, as such, poses a direct challenge to social work professionals seeking employment in their field," NCU said.

Helping individuals

According to the National Association of Social Workers, social work "is the professional activity of helping individuals, groups and communities to enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning, and to create societal conditions favourable to their goals".

NCU said, however, that, without an understanding by would-be employers of what the profession entails, professional social workers remain ostracised from the very work theyare trained to perform. Social work students at NCU are actively involved in the effort to change this unknown.

In March, NCU social work students initiated the first-ever nationwide Social Work Month, in collaboration with the Social Work Unit at UWI and the Jamaica Association of Social Workers. Not only were social workers involved in outreach, lectures and fundraisers, during this month, but on March 27, 53 NCU social work students, along with several other social work professionals, travelled to UWI to celebrate the inauguration of Global Social Work Day.

According to NCU, since this public effort, a noticeable interest in the area of social work as a viable profession has been observed.

"It is hoped that this first cohort of social work graduates from NCU will use the knowledge and skills acquired at the institution to assist in the creation of a better Jamaica," the institution said.