Care economy to create jobs, povide vital services

The government is introducing a new initiative aimed at transforming community-based care into a sustainable and financially rewarding sector.

According to Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, the “care economy” focuses on services such as childcare, elder care, early childhood development, and special needs education, while creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities at the local level.

“The care economy is working in such a way that it’s going to be very transformational for those who would like to be part of it… people out in communities who are already involved in care, but they can now transform how they offer care into something that is financially beneficial,” she noted.

Individuals and groups involved in care can access government support to formalize and expand their services, including help with infrastructure, furniture, and equipment needed to create safe and nurturing environments.

“We are encouraging persons to take care of courses in care, care for the elderly, care for children, including special needs education and early childhood development… this now will be something that you can get help from the government to fix up the environment,” Dr Persaud said.

The initiative also encourages collaborative, consortium-based approaches, allowing groups to work together to provide safe and reliable care services.

This is expected to empower more parents to join the workforce while ensuring children and the elderly are well cared for.

“And you empower more parents to go out into the world of work… a lot of parents are going out there to work, and because they go out there to work, they want somewhere safe to have their children and to know that their children are in a very secure environment,” she emphasised.

The care economy will create new job opportunities, strengthen local entrepreneurship, and make care a financially viable industry.