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129 OSY Gain Technical Skills

129 former out of school youth graduated from ELSA’s Integrated Technical Education Program in Notre Dame University, Cotabato City, on June 30, 2007. The program is being implemented through Consuelo Foundation’s tie-up with Notre Dame University (NDU)’s Community Extension Services.

The 129 graduates were from different technical education courses, which are Automotive Mechanics, Basic Electrical Wiring, Computer Technology, and Food Management. Throughout the 8-month duration of the course, they also took up Skills for Life and Youth Civic Engagement Training. The trainees also had their on-the-job training in the different partner establishments of NDU.

“Inspite of all the difficulties like poverty, we continue to push through… our dreams are clearer to us now,” said Sadam Maido, an Automotive graduate. “Our attitude towards life has changed; we are confident now, and more optimistic about the future.”

During the graduation ceremony, a recognition was given to all the partner establishments that accommodated the trainees during their on the job training. Majority of these partner establishments committed to employ the Tech Ed graduates, while several already employed the graduates right after their OJT.

ELSA’s Integrated Technical Education program, spearheaded by Consuelo Foundation, integrates life skills training with technical education program to equip the out of school youth with livelihood skills. Notre Dame University’s Community Extension Services is the local implementing partner of the ITE program in Cotabato City.