By DIANN IVY CALUCIN

A total of 500 trainees of the Libreng Skills Training underwent a job induction program conducted by the Caloocan City government, Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and Caloocan City Manpower Training Center (CCMTC) at the Bulwagang Katipunan, New Caloocan City Hall on Friday, Sept. 16.

The Libreng Skills Training is a year-round training program that lasts three to four months and is open for Caloocan residents to learn and earn their National Certificate (NC) II assessment by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan said the job induction program aims to teach the trainees how to apply for a job and the skills to start small businesses.

“Sa tulong ng job induction program, magagabayan ang mga magsisipagtapos sa ating Libreng Skills Training sa paghahanap ng trabaho o pagsisimula ng maliit na negosyo gamit ang mga natutunan nila sa kanilang kurso (With the help of the job induction program, graduates of our 'Libreng Skills' training will be guided in seeking a job or starting a small business using what they have learned in their course),” Mayor Along said.

“Sa ilalim din ng ating programa, tutulungan ng PESO sa proseso ang ating mga trainees na sasailalim sa NC-II assessment ng TESDA (Under our program, PESO will also assist our trainees who will undergo TESDA's NC-II assessment),” he added.

The courses include computer operations, automotive mechanics, welding, electronic servicing, and motorcycle repair and maintenance.

Soft trade courses such as dressmaking, cosmetology, therapeutic massage, and culinary are also offered.

Malapitan also announced that the training program is free and open for all Caloocan residents aged 17 years and above, with no age limit, including out-of-school youth, senior citizens, and solo parents.

The program requirement aligns with the city's advocacy, "lahat kasama (everyone is included)."

“Batid naman natin na mahirap maghanap ng trabaho, kaya’t sa mga kababayan natin na hindi nakapagtapos, mga may edad na, o sa mga nais lang matuto sa iba’t ibang programa, inaanyayahan ko po kayong mag-enroll sa ating Libreng Skills Training program (We know that it is difficult to find a job, so to our fellow residents who have not graduated, those who are old, or those who just want to learn in different programs, I invite you to enroll in our Libreng Skills Training program),” the Mayor said.

According to PESO Officer-in-Charge Violeta Gonzales, the training program utilizes "blended" learning, which is comprised of both face-to-face and online classes throughout the training program.

The application for the next batch of the Libreng Skills Training is still ongoing.

Interested applicants can apply at CCMTC Office in CCMTC Building, F. Roxas St., PESO Office 6th floor, Caloocan City Hall-South, and PESO Office 3rd floor Caloocan City Hall-North.