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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Over 5K Manileños learn livelihood skills

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Over 5,000 poor Manileños became certified skilled workers last year after graduating from the skills training program of the Manila Manpower Development Center, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada said.

Estrada said a “substantial number” of the 5,577 beneficiaries have landed jobs, while others managed to put up their own small businesses through the MMDC, the job-and-livelihood skills promotion arm of the city under the Manila Department of Social Welfare.

“Through this program, we train and equip Manileños with skills they need to find a job or start up a new business. I believe that with proper training and knowledge, they will become productive citizens,” Estrada said.

“This way, we could, help the Manileños in having a prosperous and better future,” he added.

MMDC chief Fely Onanad said the Manileños graduated in 2016 from various courses such as hotel and restaurant services; massage therapy; barista, cooking and food preservation; baking; beauty care; unisex haircutting; solar nightlight assembly; garment trade; silkscreen; fashion jewelry making; curtain making; manicure and pedicure; beads assembly; throw pillow making; and dressmaking. 

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The courses are completed in one month, or 20 daily classes, from Monday to Friday, Onanad added. 

At least 267 of the graduates landed jobs related to their courses. Hotel and restaurant services, massage therapy and barista arts were the three courses with most number of enrollees and corresponding graduates every year, Onanad said.

Among the top hirers of the 2016 graduates were Max’s Restaurant, Casa Bocobo Hotel, Citystate Hotel, and Bayview Park Hotel.

Some of the graduates are also undergoing on the job training in other companies also in partnership with the Manila city government.

A bulk of the graduates put up their own small businesses, Onanad said, noting this is usually the goal of many enrollees of MMDC.

Every year, enrollees to MMDC courses come from the ranks of the out-of-school- youth, mothers and jobless individuals, she added.

MMDC also conducts one-day short courses in communities and for different groups such as barangays and neighborhood associations. These are perfume making; dishwashing and herbal soap making; pandesal, siomai and noodles making; fabric softener making; powder detergent, silkscreen, liquid bleach; candle making; meat processing (ham); and peanut butter making.

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