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Teary-eyed 22-year-old Istanisla Koh recounted the days when she took her studies for granted. As if at a loss for words, she admitted that she can do so little by way of work with no college diploma. She is one of the many out-of-school youth (OSYs) in Mindanao forced to stop going to 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 now, she and her friend Raida Tating have been working at the nobbing station of the Ayala Seafoods Corporation, one of the major canning factories in Zamboanga City. Their employer praised them for 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 (EQuALLS2) 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 short-term 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 TESDA community-based skills modules 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 htis is my stepping stone to achieving my dreams. I feel proud and confident." To date, more than 8,000 OSYs have enrolled in various workforce development skills programs under EQuALLS2. (Contributed by Angel Saceda, USAID EQuALLS2 Project)
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