A meeting was heldwith teachers of the SCC of Social Work at the College of Economics and Law on the topic: "General demand for the speciality of social work: national and regional perspectives"

A meeting dedicated to the development of the social work profession and the demand for future specialists was held in the town of Kok-Jangak. The event was organized by Aitbu Anarbai kyzy, Head of Practice and Career Guidance of the SCC of Social Work at the College of Economics and Law.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the national and local demand for social work professionals and to present the expectations of employers regarding modern social work specialists.

Interview: Aitbu Anarbai kyzy — Zamirbek uulu Syrgak

Question (Aitbu Anarbai kyzy):

— Mr. Zamirbek, how would you describe the current demand for social workers across the country?

Answer (Zamirbek uulu Syrgak):

— The demand is very high. The number of elderly people is increasing, there are more persons with disabilities, families in crisis situations, and work with children is becoming more complex. All these factors significantly increase the need for social work professionals, especially in regional areas where there is a serious shortage of qualified personnel.

Question (Aitbu Anarbai kyzy):

— Which areas should educational institutions strengthen when training future social workers?

Answer (Zamirbek uulu Syrgak):

— The most important thing is preparing students for real-life situations. Practical training must be expanded, and case-based methods should be actively introduced. The more students interact with real people, the more competent and confident professionals they will become. Theory is essential, but practice defines professional quality.

Question (Aitbu Anarbai kyzy):

— As an employer, what kind of student do you expect to see?

Answer (Zamirbek uulu Syrgak):

— We are looking for responsible, proactive students who are not indifferent to social problems. Young specialists who can identify problems and strive to solve them are highly valued. A diploma alone is not enough — we need professionals with a sense of mission.

Question (Aitbu Anarbai kyzy):

— How do you see the future role of the social work profession?

Answer (Zamirbek uulu Syrgak):

— The role of this profession will continue to grow year by year. Social problems will always exist. We need specialists who are skilled in crisis intervention, community work, and social project development, and who can make a real impact on society. Social work is not just a profession — it is a mission of service to people.

Question (Aitbu Anarbai kyzy):

— What is the situation like in Kоk-Jangak city?

Answer (Zamirbek uulu Syrgak):

— We also face a shortage of social workers. Some specialists are overloaded with responsibilities. There is a strong need to expand mobile social services. The practical preparedness of young professionals remains a key challenge.

Question (Aitbu Anarbai kyzy):

— What qualities are essential for social work students today?

Answer (Zamirbek uulu Syrgak):

— First of all, empathy. Secondly, the ability to work with documentation. Thirdly, appropriate responses to conflict and crisis situations. In addition, IT skills are becoming increasingly important for modern social workers.

Conclusion

The meeting clearly demonstrated the growing importance of the social work profession, the real demand for qualified specialists, and the necessity of practice-oriented education. Such cooperation between educational institutions and local authorities plays a crucial role in preparing competent, job-ready social workers.

Social work is one of the key pillars of social stability at both regional and national levels. Therefore, training qualified specialists in this field is a shared responsibility of society as a whole.