Finally, the 135 youths, coming from Northern Samar’s eight Balicuatro Islands,  have finished Wednesday, June 19, 2013,  an almost three – month technical/vocational training,  under the DSWD and Technical Services Development Authority (TESDA) Cash for Training Program (C4TP).

These recipients, mostly out-of-school youths who are aged 18 to 30 years old, are now armed with the skills and knowledge as well as tool kits for them to start their own businesses, or for their gainful employment.  Assistant Regional Director, Virginia Idano, who represented Regional Director Remia Tapispisan in the graduation rites, told the youth to “please make good use of what you have learned and to take good care of your starter kits which will be useful in your future endeavors.”

Jocelyn Paredes, a 22 – year-old out-of-school-youth from Biri, Northern Samar, is one of the beneficiaries identified by the DSWD.  She took the Bread and Pastry Production course, as well as Commercial Cooking, at the Balicuatro College of Arts and Trades in Allen, Northern Samar, where the culmination program was held.

The teenage girl shared how happy she is, and looks forward to making “pandesal” (local bread), for her mother has put up a little store in their community.  His father owns a motorized banca (small boat) for hire, and that the family’s income can hardly meet their needs for a family of nine.

Others have opted to find jobs. TESDA Region Eight under Regional Director Cleta Omega has organized a Jobs Bridging activity right after the ceremony, held at the school’s Barayong Gymnasium.  Some four industrial partners of the TESDA like the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative were around.

The rest of the graduates took other courses, namely:  Driving, Computer Hardware Servicing, Shielded Metal ARC Welding, Refrigeration and Airconditioning Servicing, Food and Beverage, Bartending, Perform Foot Spa, Massage Therapy among others.    They come from the Balicuatro municipalities of San Isidro, San Antonio, San Vicente, Capul, Victoria, Allen, Biri, and Lavezares.

Meanwhile, Northern Samar Provincial Youth Coordinator, Gina Magdaraug, revealed that the group is the second batch in the province who finished the C4TP.  Last April, some 19 young people completed their trainings in varied fields of endeavor from the Las Navas Agro – industrial School, in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

The C4TP is a free technical-vocational education and skills training project which provides P20,000 training or cash allowance assistance to each DSWD identified beneficiary. It aims to empower the youth to acquire world class technical/vocational   skills for them to have a career and better future.