Youth Productivity Service (YPS)
Youth Productivity Service A community based strategy organization on convergence among national government agencies, local government units and civil society to provide integrated skills and facilitate job placement among out-of- school youth (OSY) and youth- at-risk.
Training gives out-of school youth jobs in canning factory
Teary-eyed 22-year-old Istanisla Koh recounted the days when she took her studies for granted. Almost at a loss for words, she admitted that she could do so little by way of work with no college diploma. She is one of the many out-of-school youths (OSYs) in Mindanao forced to drop out of school mainly due to poverty. Others stop due to armed conflict. With the tough competition for jobs nowadays even among college graduates, the door to a decent job seems closed to OSYs forever.
These days, however, Istanisla has something to smile about. With new food preparation and cooking skills and a competency certificate from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), she has found a job sorting sardines.
For four months, she and her friend Raida Tating have been working at the knobbing station of the Ayala Seafoods Corporation, one of the major canning factories in Zamboanga City, Philippines.
Their employer said they are showing marked perseverance, leadership skills, and a positive work attitude.
Istanisla and Raida are graduates of a five- month food preparation, cooking, and baking course for OSYs offered by the US Agency for International Development through its Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuALLS) Project.
Aside from the hands-on learning sessions, the course also offers on-the-job training in industries and business establishments.
It is part of the project’s Skills Training and Industry Immersion (STII) program, which offers other courses such as welding, building wiring installation, small engine mechanics, carpentry, masonry, handicraft weaving, and bag making.
The free courses are based on industry requirements and use modules developed by the government agency Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to ensure that graduates will have better chances of acquiring gainful employment or meeting market demand for services and goods.
Graduates are also assisted in finding jobs through industry referrals or are given micro-enterprise support.
“At first, I did not appreciate the course, especially since I was studying nursing before I dropped out of college,” said Raida. “But I now realize that this is my steppingstone to achieving my dreams. I feel proud and confident. ”
Teary-eyed 22-year-old Istanisla Koh recounted the days when she took her studies for granted. Almost at a loss for words, she admitted that she could do so little by way of work with no college diploma. She is one of the many out-of-school youths (OSYs) in Mindanao forced to drop out of school mainly due to poverty. Others stop due to armed conflict. With the tough competition for jobs nowadays even among college graduates, the door to a decent job seems closed to OSYs forever.
These days, however, Istanisla has something to smile about. With new food preparation and cooking skills and a competency certificate from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), she has found a job sorting sardines.
For four months, she and her friend Raida Tating have been working at the knobbing station of the Ayala Seafoods Corporation, one of the major canning factories in Zamboanga City, Philippines.
Their employer said they are showing marked perseverance, leadership skills, and a positive work attitude.
Istanisla and Raida are graduates of a five- month food preparation, cooking, and baking course for OSYs offered by the US Agency for International Development through its Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuALLS) Project.
Aside from the hands-on learning sessions, the course also offers on-the-job training in industries and business establishments.
It is part of the project’s Skills Training and Industry Immersion (STII) program, which offers other courses such as welding, building wiring installation, small engine mechanics, carpentry, masonry, handicraft weaving, and bag making.
The free courses are based on industry requirements and use modules developed by the government agency Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to ensure that graduates will have better chances of acquiring gainful employment or meeting market demand for services and goods.
Graduates are also assisted in finding jobs through industry referrals or are given micro-enterprise support.
“At first, I did not appreciate the course, especially since I was studying nursing before I dropped out of college,” said Raida. “But I now realize that this is my steppingstone to achieving my dreams. I feel proud and confident. ”
OBJECTIVES
- Provide training opportunities to OSY and youth-at-risk in order to gain employable skills.
- Provide financial support for the ancillary needs of the OSY and youth-at-risk.
- Monitor and facilitate the readiness and efficiency of the OSY and youth-at- risk in the acquisition of skills
- Link OSY and youth-at- risk with the DepEd Bureau of Alternative Learning Services and TESDA for testing and formal skills certification
- Enable LGUs to participate in Job Link facilities that offer jobs for the OSY and youth-at-risk
COMPONENTS
- Capability Building
- Delivery of Services
- Delivery of Services • Organization, Mobilization and Strengthening of youth organizations/ associations
PILOT AREAS
• Provided a wide range
of opportunities to OSY
for training in employable
skills and job placement.
• Provided financial support
for other needs of
qualified youth to be able
to access the opportunities
for skills and jobs.
