Alcala’s livelihood training program flourishes
ALCALA-What started as a simple alternative livelihood program for tricycle drivers here may soon become a pilot project for the Ilocos Region.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), impressed by the success of the program initiated by Mayor Manuel Collado, plans to duplicate it in other parts of the region.
DOLE recently committed to allocate an additional P1.4 million for the continuation of the trainings and skills upgrade program for those who have graduated to enhance their opportunities for employment.
The project started when Collado, concerned about the plight of many idle tricycle drivers waiting idly for passengers, decided to introduce a training program on welding in a bid to encourage them to shift to another means of livelihood.
He felt that with many tricycle drivers shifting to another productive livelihood, those who remain as tricycle drivers will be less idle and begin to earn more.
The DOLE assisted the program initially with P100,000 fund for the first batch of trainees as its counterpart to the local government’s P20,000 allocation.
Many of the first batch of trainees were readily employed by local construction companies, while others set up their own welding shops and still others have found work overseas.
Collado said the town had to provide additional funds to keep the trainings going when more residents decided to join the program.
The town reaps benefits from the program as well by assigning the trainees to ongoing projects like the production of manhole covers and steel gate for the town plaza.
To complement the training, Collado sponsored a mobile passporting service in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs to assist would be graduates interested in overseas employment.
At least one foreign company has already expressed willingness to employ the graduates with even no previous work experience.
The project, accredited by the Technical Educational Schools and Development Authority (TESDA) which also provides the trainors, started in April and now lists some 300 graduates.#
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