A TOTAL of 48 youth from Angeles City graduated from the Youth Access to TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) Online Program (TOP) after months of training on 21st century skills modules.
The initiative is part of Opportunity 2.0: Second-Chance Opportunities for Out-of-School Youth program of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which seeks to improve the education, employment, and livelihood outcomes of the out-of-school youth.
In his welcome message, USAID Opportunity 2. 0 Chief of Party David Hall said this is part of a P1.9 billion program in partnership with TESDA, Department of Education, Department of Trade and Industry, local government units, universities, and private sector partners, which aims to support over 180,000 youth and more than 2,000 teachers and trainers in 15 cities across the Philippines over five years.
“We rapidly reprogram some of our activities taking into account the changing conditions and our access to TOP was developed to be made more readily and easily to help OSYs, given the restrictions imposed by the pandemic... We are proud of our completers. We hope that you continue to make a big difference in your life, be able to pick up this approach, and keep moving since this works really well as a jumpstart to the fulfillment of your true potential,” Hall said.
For his part, USAID Philippines Office of Education Director Thomas LeBlanc congratulated the graduates for completing the program, citing this is a celebration of their determination, drive, and success in hurdling many challenges, especially those brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The TESDA Online Program which was already a vital tool to reach Filipino youths across the country even before the Covid-19 pandemic has proven to be even more important now that we have shifted to online or blended learning. You are now ready to take on better opportunities such as participating in Be Your Own Boss and work-based programs that will further improve your chances of success. This is a testament of what the youth can achieve if they are just given the opportunity and support; and of their resilient spirit,” LeBlanc said.
He also thanked USAID’s partners as he vowed to remain committed to working with them towards their shared goal of equipping all Filipino youth with the tools and opportunity they need so that they can have a better tomorrow.
Meanwhile, for his part, City College of Angeles (CCA) President Frankie Villanueva cited the graduates for being tough and persevering in going through a lot of challenges to be where they are today.
He assured that CCA, being a private academic institution of the program, will keep its doors wide open and be an institute of hope by continuing to offer TESDA online courses as part of their regular offerings since these are more inclusive.
“We will co-create courses relevant to your needs and design the methodologies; help private sector involve in employment placement; and leverage linkage with business chambers to come up with more enterprise-based trainings. We are now forming industry boards in various sectors so that they would be more involved in designing, creating educational offerings, and working hand in hand in the placements so that more jobs will be made available for the graduates of the program,” Villanueva said.
The Angeleño youth completers include 15 in Food and Beverages NC II; 10 in Cookery NC II; nine each in Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II and Housekeeping NC II; and five in Computer System Servicing NC II.
Aside from the top completers, 19 youth also completed the work-based learning program; while 14 finished the "Be your Own Boss" program. (PR)