Around 192 residents of Quezon City (QC) completed their technical-vocational skills training courses under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Saturday, Feb. 5.
STEP is a community-based initiative that aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills to make their entrepreneurial, self-employment and service-oriented ventures thrive.
The training program was conducted in cooperation with the Quezon City government and the QC Skills and Livelihood Foundation Inc. (QCSLFI).
According to TESDA, beneficiaries of STEP were given free training and assessment, starter tool kits, and a P60 training allowance per day during the training period.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte led the graduation ceremony, along with TESDA QC District Director Mariflor Liwanag, and QCSFLI officer-in-charge Valerie Bernardino.
Councilor Hero Bautista, Councilor Ivy Lagman, Councilor Marra Suntay, Councilor Irene Belmonte, former Councilor Janet Malaya, District 4 Action Officer Engineer Alberto Flores, and Barangay Kamuning Chairwoman Armida Castel were also present in the event.
The graduates of the bread and pastry production training were each given a portable oven, baking trays, measuring spoons and cups, a whisk, a mixing bowl, and a cake pan.
Meanwhile, the graduates of the Motorcycle and Small Engine System (MSES) training program were each given tool boxes for maintenance and repair work.
Belmonte said she is hoping that the training programs will be able to help the beneficiaries with their personal business activities, as well as their communities.
She added that the beneficiaries are encouraged to apply to some of the city’s livelihood assistance programs such as the Pangkabuhayan QC that gives financial assistance to individuals gravely affected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Another program Belmonte recommended was the Small Income Generating Assistance (SIGA) that provides capital assistance to sari-sari store owners and small business owners.
STEP has produced 676 graduates of the baking and pastry making training program, and 20 graduates in the newly-added MSES training courses in the city throughout 2021.(Khriscielle Yalao)