ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Dec. 21 (PIA) - More than 100 out-of-school youth and completers of the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System in Isabela City finished another milestone of learning experiences through the Project RIDE (Regenerating Inclusive Education and Employment) implemented by Isabela Foundation Inc. this year.

Project RIDE has started with 150 out-of-school youth beneficiaries ages 15-24 years old from the 12 Opportunity 2.0 sites with ALS completers from SY 2019-2020 and SY 2020-2021 cohorts who have completed the DepEd life skills program from Island District and West District of Isabela de Basilan.

During the graduation ceremony, Elma C. Kandum DepEd-ALS Coordinator in Isabela City stressed the importance of what they have learned from the program to apply for a job in the future.

Kandum stressed that the training is not the same with white collar jobs, however, this training will equip them with knowledge that they can use in the future.

Meanwhile Margarita A. Auxtero, Executive Director of Isabela Foundation Inc. also stressed in her message that the project R.I.D.E will not end with lectures and trainings alone, she assured that the completers will be given a chance to be qualified in the next program.

Auxtero explained the importance of the learnings they could gained from the program especially to their future jobs. She also announced the possibility of another program in support to the Project RIDE as part of its sustainability.

The Project RIDE was based on the project strategy statement and implementation set by the implementing organization and approved by the funder namely; pathways orientation for youth, higher level education orientation, work-based learning, be your own boss and peer coaching.

The Pathways orientation for youth is a 4- to 6-hour orientation that is focused on assisting youth to set realistic career goals based on their life, skills, personal strengths, and interests. The orientation helps youth to identify their short-term and long-term goals and align these with certain paths they could pursue in order to reach their envisioned goals.

Higher-level Education Orientation is the higher-level education or training readiness which caters to the needs of out-of-school youths by demystifying admissions in higher-level education, introducing them to available funding mechanisms and opportunities, gearing them towards better fit of course/track selection and boosting morale towards capacity of out of school youths to go back to school.

Work Based Learning is a structured process whereby the youths are exposed to workplaces, build relationships with employers and make more informed career decisions and are better prepared for the world of work. This package is suitable for all youth. The grantee shall deliver the Work Based Learning package consists of work exposure and work experience activities via online or face-to-face.

Be Your Own Boss is Education Development Center's entrepreneurship training for youth. The objective is to prepare youth who are interested in starting their own business. The Grantee shall conduct the BYOB training using the Education Development Center’s training modules in close coordination with EDC's Master Trainers, Private Sector Officers and Youth Development Coordinators. The BYOB training is a total of 20 hours of classroom time (whether virtual or face-to-face). The program anticipates that this is conducted over two (2) weekly sessions of five (5) hours. The youth will be required to complete 2-4 hours per week of practical activities on their own time in their communities.

Meanwhile the Peer Coaching is a strategy to support the youth make appropriate use of the learning and experience, all youth will receive peer coaching. Peer coaching is a group process facilitated by trained peer coaches. The goal is for the group to provide support, motivation and encouragement to one another; the groups meet for an hour on a weekly basis for approximately 3-6 months. They follow structured agendas that are designed to help youth meet their goals, whether they are wage employment, self-employment or further education and training goals.

The out-of-school youth participants was given the chance to submit their proposal of what kind of livelihood they want to pursue, some of the proposal titles are ALS Sari-Sari store, D’ Boys Carpentry, The Souvenir, 4s Banana Chips and Munchkins.

The Project RIDE is a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Isabela Foundation Incorporated in partnership with the Department of Education Alternative Learning System (DepEd-ALS), Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA) and the Local Government Unit through the Isabela City Youth Development Alliance. (RVC/NDR-PIA Basilan)