300 Maguindanao out-of-school-youths complete vocational courses

Upi,Maguindanao -More than 300 out-of-school youths (OSYs) from various barangays in the upland town of Upi in Maguindanao province completed various vocational courses from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The courses were offered through the livelihood skills training program of the Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills-2 (EQuALLS-2) project of the Philippine government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

During simple ceremonies held last week at the Upi Municipal Gymnasium, the 303 OSYs from 10 barangays received accreditation in food processing, baking and breadmaking, welding, electronics servicing, small engine servicing, and house wiring installation.

The courses were organized by Synergeia Foundation, which implements the EQuALLS-2 project in Upi and other conflict-affected areas in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“My welding skills will increase my chances of getting a job, since I now have multiple skills that are necessary in the metal works industry. While looking for a job, though, I can help in my father’s blacksmith shop,” Rosenie Sarmiento, Jr., one of the graduates, said.

EquALLS-2-Synergeia Program Officer Florendo Guevara was happy over the results of the vocational courses offered to OSY in the town of Upi.

“I am always inspired by Upi because this is our model community. It has not only exceeded our targets for formal education, but now, we are also seeing so many out-of-school youth here graduate through our alternative learning system. If these out-of-school youths from Upi can work towards a better life, out-of-school youths in other challenged towns in Mindanao can do it as well,” Guevarra said.

Upi Mayor Ruben Platon thanked USAID, Synergeia, TESDA, local officials, and other concerned groups for organizing and implementing the workforce development program for the town’s OSYs, saying “this will do much to alleviate the town’s high incidence of poverty.”

Guevara also indicated plans by the local government in Upi to provide seed money for the formation of a cooperative per village where graduates of these vocational courses can be employed and use their newly acquired skills.

Synergeia will also provide local businesses and other citizens a list of all its EQuALLS-2 graduates with TESDA accreditation for available jobs and other livelihood opportunities.

The EQuALLS-2 Project helps improve basic education and offers alternative learning and livelihood training opportunities to out-of-school youth in areas most affected by conflict and poverty in Mindanao. (PNA/PIA9-BST)