P1.2-M Literacy Program to Benefit 300 OSYs

Manila Bulletin - Wednesday, October 13

CEBU CITY - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), together with other stakeholders will launch a P1.2 million-worth computer literacy program which will benefit at least 300 female out-of-school-youth (OSY) in the Visayas region. TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said in a statement that TESDA has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Informatics, a computer training center, to provide Computer Hardware Servicing and a Call Center course to the selected group of women through its Equal Employment Opportunities for Out-of-School Youth program. PEZA will select the beneficiaries for the program, which will be implemented in barangays at the Mactan Economic Zone in Cebu. "This project aims to equip women OSYs with sufficient skills to increase their employability in the information technology (IT) industry and enable them to build a better future for themselves and their families," Villanueva said. TESDA and PEZA will each provide P600, 000 in funds for the 12-month training program or about P4, 000 for each of the 300 female trainees, while Informatics will provide computers, facilities, and training personnel. Villanueva said that TESDA will also issue a National Certificate to the graduates of the program, while PEZA will provide them with job placement in PEZA-registered IT companies. "This undertaking is definitely a positive and welcome move since President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III is advocating for public-private sector partnership," Villanueva said.