More than 300 out-of-school youths from various villages in the upland town of Upi in Maguindanao province graduated with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) certificates in vocational courses under the livelihood skills training program of the Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuALLS20 Project of the Philippine government and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

During simple ceremonies at the Upi Municipal Gymnasium on July 23, 2010, 303 enrollees from 10 barangays received accreditation in food processing, baking/breadmaking, welding, electronics servicing, small engine servicing, and house wiring installation.

These courses were organized by Synergeia Foundation, which implements the EQuALLS2 Project in Upi and other conflict-affected areas in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“My welding skills will increase my chances of getting a job, since I now have multiple skills that are necessary in the metal works industry. While looking for a job, though, I can help in my father’s blacksmith shop,” said Rosenie Sarmiento, Jr., one of the graduates.

EQuALLS2-Synergeia Program Officer Florendo Guevara was looking forward to replicating Upi’s success in other towns.

“I am always inspired by Upi because this has always been our model community. This community has not only exceeded our targets for formal education, now we are seeing our out-of-school youths graduate through our alternative learning system,” said Mr. Guevara.

“What we’re really showing here is that if we can do it in Upi, we can do it in other towns in Mindanao as well.”

Upi Mayor Ruben Platon thanked USAID, Synergeia, TESDA, local officials, and other concerned groups for organizing and implementing the workforce development program for the town’s out-of-school youth, saying this will do much in helping alleviate the town’s high incidence of poverty.

Guevara also indicated plans by the local government in Upi to provide seed money and form a cooperative per village where graduates of these vocational courses can be employed and make use of their newly acquired skills.

Synergeia will also provide local business and other citizens with a list of all its EQuALLS2 graduates with TESDA accreditation to make it easy to match demand for skills with skilled graduates looking for job opportunities.

The EQuALLS2 Project helps improve basic education and offers alternative learning and livelihood training opportunities to out-of-school youth in areas most affected by conflict and poverty in Mindanao.