Lapu school offers free skills training

THE Philippine State College of Aeronautics (Philsca) is once again offering free skills training to out-of-school youth and interested parties.

The training program, dubbed as “Sixth Community Extension Services and Skills Training” was launched last Saturday in Canjulao Elementary School in barangay Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu City where the training will be held every Saturday and Sunday for a total of 15 days.

The launching was presided by Philsca Director Nonadel Soriano and assisted by Dr. Fedilina Baluyot, chairperson of the extension program.

More than 200 people showed up to enroll in the free skills training courses. The school offers food processing, noodle making, computer literacy, welding, souvenir items making, basic electronic and radio repair and practical electricity.

Canjulao barangay captain Nestor Paypa welcomed the program, saying “This will help a lot especially the less fortunate who cannot afford to pay for the training,” he said.

The barangay is very much willing to offer the use of its facilities, he added.

School principal Desiree Sulla, with permission from Schools Division Superintendent Eduardo Ompad, offered the computer room for the computer literacy training.

The lecture and hands-on training will be conducted by Philsca instructors at the Canjulao Elementary School.

The skills training program started in barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City in 2010 and was later espoused by other barangays in Lapu-Lapu City, and barangay Day-as in Cordova town.

Dr. Soriano said the program is a great opportunity for the out-of-school-youth to obtain skills that are in demand in the airline industry. “Around 700 people who availed of the training already have jobs, while others have started their own businesses,” Soriano said.

This initiative is Philsca’s acceptance of its social responsibility by giving less-fortunate individuals an opportunity to land a good job.

Dr. Soriano said those who can finish the course will be given a Tesda certificate during their graduation on Sept. 5. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA