MANILA, Philippines – A collaboration project in skills development and employment between the provincial government and several stakeholders is reaping success in many Bohol towns since its launch in January.
The Skills Training Advocating Reliance and Self-Employment (STARS) project in Bohol is a livelihood training project that offers free skills training that can help the trainees to get jobs.
STARS targets Boholanos in rural areas affected by insurgency. There are five provincial training centers, but these are not enough to serve the skills training requirements and provide livelihood opportunities to 1.3 million Boholanos.
It is a collaboration between the provincial government and the Local Peace Forum, Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, League of Municipalities in the Philippines, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the offices of the three representatives of congressional districts. The local government units are tasked to identify and recruit participants, designate training venues, and pay for the food and accommodation of trainers.
The project management board is currently headed by Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto as chairman, and Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
Total project cost is estimated at P26 million for two years. The three Bohol congressmen shared one million pesos each and the rest of the budget will be funded by the national and provincial governments.
Skills training programs will be conducted for free by a team of trainers. Tools, equipment, and training materials will be transferred without cost to the LGUs after completion of the training program. From the 1,109 barangays, some 26,616 Boholanos are expected to graduate from programs including welding, tour guiding, manicure/pedicure, hair styling/cutting, basic electricity, plumbing, therapeutic massage/reflexology, cell phone repair, driving, TV/radio servicing, household service worker, and small engine repair.
TRAINING OF TRAINERS
Prior to project implementation, TESDA trained 45 trainers. From January to June 2010, Project STARS had conducted 93 training classes and graduated 3,095 out-of-school youth, unemployed adults, and women trainees.
Graduates of Project STARS are assisted by the Bohol Employment and Placement Office (BEPO) in finding jobs. Others join skilled workers associations organized by local government units. Those who have the necessary seed capital opted to put up their own businesses and service shops.
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