OFWs complete TESDA skills upgrade program

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Augusto Boboy Syjuco has announced that at least 18 domestic helpers from war-torn Lebanon are now "professional home managers" after availing of the agency’s one-month skills upgrading program.

According to Syjuco, the 18 returnees from Lebanon were granted scholarships for the home manager’s course at TESDA Women ‘s Center located in Taguig.

He said the course is part of TESDA’s Skills Upgrading Program for Employment and Reemployment of Pinoys (SUPERPinoys).

The skills upgrading program initially covers the training of women returnees from Lebanon to upgrade their skills and eventually enhance their employability.Dubbed "Supermaids Program," the one-month home managers course includes value-added training in first aid, child health, communication skills, home safety, care of pets, cooking, home management, and personality development.

"This special program became possible upon the timely instruction of President Arroyo," the TESDA chief said.

The country would no longer deploy Filipino workers with little or no training because this may lead to various problems associated with undignified work and low paying jobs.

The TESDA chief said the Supermaids program was first introduced in the second district of Iloilo. The 65 graduates are now have high-paying jobs in Singapore and Malaysia.

Syjuco pointed out that the program is conducted "free of charge" and is being funded under President Arroyo’s Training for Work Scholarship Project.