Addressing Gaps in Professional Social Work: A Study of Challenges in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Abstract

Professional social work is a relatively new profession among the other service fields in India. People generally confuse the social work profession with charity and philanthropic work and think there is no need for professional training in this field. The present paper tried to explore the problems and challenges professional social workers face in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The study was based on the qualitative approach, and 11 in-depth interviews were taken with professional workers who have completed their Master in Social Work (MSW) either from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla or Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra. The study found that there is a significant gap in professional training and skill development during the MSW programme. The lack of practical experience hinders students' ability to translate theoretical knowledge into effective practice. This underscores the need for curriculum reforms integrating practical training and field-based learning to better prepare future social workers for real-world challenges.