125 out-of-school youth to get free work training

CEBU, Philippines —  A total of 125 out-of-school youth (OSY) in Cebu City will undergo free work readiness training as well as technical and vocational education and training (TVET) from the School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership and Service (SKILLS).

The work readiness training, which is part of the Work Ready Now program, will run from July this year to March next year.

The trainees will be divided into five batches.

Trainees will be made to listen to classroom lectures, participate in hands-on training and workplace and community immersions throughout the process. There will also be coaching and peer mentoring sessions.

Trainees will also be provided with self-learning modules and a learning management system.

Specifically, the work readiness program will cover courses in 21st Century Skills, Work-Based Learning, Be Your Own Boss, Peer Coaching, and Career Guidance.

Meanwhile, for the TVET, trainees will choose among the five NC2 TESDA courses offered by SKILLS such as masonry, reinforcing steel works, tile setting, plumbing and system formworks.

Through this, trainees will receive uniforms, handouts, personal protective equipment and limited allowance.

“SKILLS is working with companies to secure immediate employment to successful trainees,” its post on Facebook read.

The program is said to be designed to improve the education, livelihood, and employment opportunities of the youths who were not able to attend schools or have not finished college.

Interested applicants should be 18 to 24 years old, and are either undergraduates or completers of junior or senior high school.

College level OSY are also allowed provided that they are not employed within the past six months.

The WRN program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by the Education Development Center (EDC).

The program is part of USAID’s Opportunity 2.0 - Second Chance Opportunities for Out-of-School Youth Project. — Loreine Kyra Lebumfacil, CNU Comm Intern, JMD (FREEMAN)