By Mary May A. Abellon
DIPOLOG CITY - The Cash for Training Project (C4TP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was launched here recently to benefit some 63 out-of-school youths (OSY) from the city’s 21 barangays.
C4TP, which is implemented in partnership with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Zamboanga del Norte Federation of Parents Association (ZNFEPA), Livelihood Skills Development and Enhancement Center (LSDEC), Dipolog Schools of Fisheries (DSF) and Saint Vincent’s College (SVC) and the city government, is providing interested OSYs with technical/vocational training such as shielded metal arc welding, commercial cooking, food and beverage as well as bartending.
PESO Officer Atty. Arvin Bonbon explained that the OSYs would undergo technical/vocational training in accredited tech-voc providers like LSDEC, DSF and SVC.
With this development, City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy was grateful to DSWD, TESDA, DOLE, ZNFEPA, LSDEC, DSF and SVC for their great help in the “Employment and Livelihood Assistance” to OSYs.
The city mayor also reminded all scholars not to waste the opportunity given to them as this would enhance their skills and talents - the primary purpose of this undertaking.
Aside from skills training opportunities, CT4P also aims to provide job facilitation services and entrepreneurship support to its beneficiaries.
It is a two-component implementation: training for wage employment and training for self-employment.
Each scholar shall receive a voucher, a toolkit for those who will be under the training for self-employment category, livelihood assistance, and allowance for transportation expenses during the training.
Moreover, TESDA Sec. Joel J. Villanueva has said that through this C4TP project the scholars shall serve as ambassadors of the department and prove the skeptics wrong in thinking that vocational and technical courses are nothing compared to four-year degree courses. (PIA9)