Three hundred forty-five (345) scholars of the Ka Fuerte Skills Training Program in the Rinconada District received toolkits from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur on February 14, 2022 at the Baao Community College (BCC).
Among the scholars who received the starter tool kits were those who took the free training and passed the national assessment under the courses of Bread and Pastry, Cookery, Breadmaking, Produce Organic Fertilizer, Electronics Products Assembly and Servicing, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Assemble Electronics and Service Consumer.
“Saro po ako sa nagtake nin training sa Produce Organic Fertilizer. Nagpapasalamat po ako ta natawanan po kami nin toolkit para maka-start kami para ma-apply mi si mga nanudan mi sa paggibo nin fertilizer ta sustainable ini. Bale ining toolkits gagagmiton ko siya for gardening para makastart na din kami saka makatabang na din,” shared Juan Paulo Acopio, a scholar beneficiary of the Ka Fuerte Skills Training Program who took the training in Produce Organic Fertilizer.
He received a toolkit containing sprayer, digital weighing scale, measuring cups, shovel, sprinkler, and spading fork. These would be beneficial as he starts to make use of his skills and knowledge in producing organic fertilizer because of the training.
“Nagpapasalamat din po ako kasi isa ako sa mga nabenepisyuhan kan programang ini. Salamat po ta dahil igdi, natatawanan man kaming mga youth nin tabang para ipadagos an pag-agrikultura lalo na ngunyan na pandemic. Salamat pong maray saindong tabang,” Acopio gratefully added.
Maria Theresa Collarina of San Agustin, Iriga City took the training for Bread and Pastry Production and received a toolkit containing an electric oven, measuring cups, measuring urn, mixing bowl, digital weighing scale, dough cutter, boat tart molder, pastry blender, muffin pan, rubber scraper, flour sifter, wire whisk, and measuring spoon.
According to her, “Maganda ang ganitong programa kasi maraming nage-enjoy sa natutunan nila and, at the same time, maraming benefits especially being a scholar kasi merong allowance tapos may toolkit pa. Napakalaking tulong talaga nito lalo na sa mga naghahanap ng panghanapbuhay.”
In partnership with TESDA, the scholars under the Ka Fuerte Skills Training Program are entitled to the benefits of the STEP or Special Training from Employment Program of TESDA. Aside from receiving starter tool kits that will help them in starting their own businesses or looking for a new job using the new knowledge and skills they learned during their free training, they are also entitled to daily allowances.
Aside from the distribution of toolkits, allowances to the scholars under the Dressmaking NCII course in Bula were also distributed at the same time. The PPE and internet allowance amounted to P7,080, which covers the 38 days of training of the scholars.
For someone who dreams of having a tailoring business and becoming a seamstress, Jovelyn Balderrama was grateful to have been part of the program, for taking the free training on Dressmaking, as well as for receiving an allowance while pursuing her dream. She shared, “Dakulang tabang po an makabali ako sa programang ini ta pangarap ko po talaga magtahi-tahi. Ini pong allowance gagamiton ko po ini pandagdag sa pagnegosyo. Kaya salamat po sa scholarship na tinao nindo samuya. Dakulang tabang po kaini samuya.”
Acopio, Collarina, and Balderama were just among the scholars who benefitted from the Ka Fuerte Skills Training Program that opened doors of opportunity in business and employment for them during these trying times. Rest assured that the continuous partnership of the Provincial Government and TESDA will further bring opportunities for learning new skills and knowledge that would aid the Camarinenses to uplift themselves from poverty and to succeed in life.
