By ZhangHuichun
Kunshan Daily
  According to Kunshan CivilAffairsBureau (KCAB), the lately released results of2012 National SocialWorker ProfessionalProficiency Test show that 222 examineesin Kunshan passed the test and obtainedthe certificate.Kunshan has a totalof 315certified socialworkers (SW), including261 junior-level SWs and 54 intermediate-levelones.
  This year the numberofexamineeswhopass the test ismore than two times theaccumulative number of previous fouryears,which indicates that SW has increasingly become a hot spot and anemergingcareer.“Ihave learntmore aboutSWafter taking the test.”Ms.Gu passed the SW testand got the junior-level certificate thisyear.As aworker at the NeighborhoodCommittee of KETD Changjiang RoadStreetYuecheng Community,Ms.Gu hasnot only improved her understanding oflaws and regulationsby taking the national test, but also learntmany professionalSWmethods,which is very helpful to herfuturework.Shewillcontinue to take theintermediate-level test and further improveherabilities.
  Since the nationalSWtestwas initiatedin 2008, SWas a newprofession has beenincubating in Kunshan and seeing moreandmore examinees.Over the past fouryears, less than 1000 people sat the testand only 103passed it.This year, however, both the numberofexaminees and thenumberofcertificatewinners hithistoricalhigh.The examineesused to be neighborhood committee stafforcommunityworkers from public security departments, butthis year has seenmore examinees fromdifferent industries such as education, lawenforcement,healthcare, etc.
  Kunshan has also put forwardmultipleincentive policies to promote SW certification and attractmore social resourcesinto SW. For instance, the governmentpurchases welfare community services,supports the developmentof socialorganizations, grants certified SWs amonthlysubsidy fromRMB100 yuan to 500 yuan toenhanceSWprofessionalismand standardization.