Aboitiz Foundation and AP Renewables Inc. (APRI) have turned over funds to TESDA’s Provincial Training Center of Albay to sponsor scholarships for 22 out-of-school youth (OSYs) from the Municipality of Tiwi. The group of scholars make up the program’s first batch and will take Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) training. The full scholarship includes insurance and daily allowance subsidy.
The ceremonial turnover took place last February 13 in Brgy. Libjo, Tiwi, and was attended by the recipients along with their parents and guardians.
TESDA Regional Office-V Acting Director Mariglo L. Macabuhay-Sese shared, “Sa training o proyektong ito, hindi lamang ang mga ‘graduates’ ang magiging ‘output’. May malaking epekto din ito pati sa mga buhay ng mga pamilyang kanilang matutulungan o kaya’y mabibigyan ng inspirasyon.”
She also added, “Sa mga magulang din na nandito, this is the time that you really have to show your support sa mga anak nyo para matapos ang training. Sila ay papasok sa center araw-araw at mag-undergo ng OJT.”
As part of the program, scholars will undergo 25 days of in-school training followed by five months of on-the-job training before taking the National Certification (NC) II examination.
Councilor Jha Clerigo, who chairs the Committee on Education of the local government, acknowledged that APRI’s allocation of budget towards community education is one of the town’s blessings. He also recognized that Tiwi is equally blessed with natural resources, including its geothermal resource.
“Our target is to increase the number of scholars that we currently have to contribute to the economic progress of Tiwi. We are positive that these scholars will eventually get their NCII accreditation and contribute to the higher employment rate in the region”, said APRI Reputation Manager Wendy Bautista.
APRI has sponsored 435 technical-vocational scholars and 392 graduates since 2011 for its Tiwi and MakBan sites. APRI and TESDA are exploring the possibility of offering more courses in the future based on the needs of the Region.
