TAGUIG CITY -- The second batch of trainees of the 12-Day Blended Training for Domestic Work NC II have recently completed their training and successfully passed their competency assessments.

It can be recalled that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) launched this program last May 24 to address the need of outbound domestic workers for shorter course duration without sacrificing the quality of training.  The conduct of training was supervised by Fair Training Center (FTC), ILO’s partner institution for this program.

Similar to the first batch, the trainees underwent a combination of online classes and face-to-face training.   The ten-day online lectures (excluding weekends) were done through a private Facebook group page where trainees accessed their modules, videos and assessment activities. Submission of assignments as well as counseling sessions courtesy of the FTC was done via Facebook Messenger Rooms and Messenger Chats.

The face-to-face training was held in FTC in Parañaque where trainees applied what they learned from their online classes. They were also taught the use of different household equipment as well as the proper conduct as foreign domestic workers.

Nineteen out of 20 trainees were able to complete their training and have passed their competency assessments held at TESDA Women’s Center. The student who was not able to complete the classes already dropped on the second week of training due to personal reasons.

The graduates—both experienced and new recruits—are bound for Hong Kong, Malaysia, Kuwait, Dubai, Pakistan, Singapore and United Arab Emirates. Their NC II will help expedite the process of their overseas employment contracts.

The trainees expressed their gratitude to TESDA, ILO and FTC as the program gave them confidence and new knowledge for their work abroad. 

“Although I already have an experience working overseas, I still learned a lot from this program and I will use these skills for my next job,” Mary Erica Rafol said. She used to work in Lebanon for three years and is now bound for Hong Kong.

Another graduate who is bound for the United Arab Emirates, Anna Lizza Montecillo added, “The training has helped me a lot for a domestic worker like me because they gave us knowledge and boosted our confidence to work abroad. They helped us mentally physically emotionally ready which is a big help for us, being a domestic worker.”

Currently, the shortened training on Domestic Work NC II had already produced 37 graduates who were also certified as skilled workers.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña congratulated the new batch of graduates and lauded their confidence as they prepare their new journey overseas.

“I congratulate all of you for becoming certified skilled workers! Your hard work has paid off and being the bagong bayani as overseas Filipino workers, we hope that what you learned will help you in your new journey abroad,” he said.

The ILO will shoulder the expenses of the program’s six-month pilot implementation and TESDA will recommend its adoption to its training centers if the program proves effective. (TESDA)