36 Abrenians benefit in convergence training programs

By Maria Teresa B. Benas

Wednesday 4th of July 2012

BANGUED, Abra, July 4 (PIA) -- The Convergence of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) for the year 2012 is benefiting 36 individuals in the province.

The beneficiaries come from six municipalities: Lagangilang, Tubo, Licuan-Baay, Sallapadan, and San Juan and are being trained in automotive, mechanic, driving.

In a press briefing convened by Dr. Emerito Narag, provincial head of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), he said that the SPES and TWSP Convergence is being implemented nationwide with the poorest areas in the country as the priority. The identification of the poorest municipalities covered by the program is based on the focus municipalities that were determined by the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster.

Beneficiaries of the program are out-of-school youths (OSYs) who are not enrolled but intend to enroll provided they meet the following requirements such as: between 15-25 years old and has reached at least high school level; the combined net income of parents after tax, including his/her income if any, does not exceed the latest annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); must have got an average passing grade during the last school term attended; and he has not previously availed himself of TESDA’s scholarship under the TWSP or the Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA).

The training will last for a minimum period of 20 days to a maximum of 51 to 52 days or 416 hours. The training program in the province started on May 21 and expected to be completed July 30.

The convergence program is a special training program where the OSY is given a wage equivalent of the 40 percent of the minimum wage after the completion of the training program as a training allowance. This amount is shouldered by the DOLE. In addition, DOLE also pays an insurance premium to the Government Service Insurance system (GSIS) for each OSY trainee.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), on the other hand, is responsible for the selection of the OSYs who will undergo the training program and provide the training where there are no other qualified institutions that could provide the training.

The Convergence program is also open to the disabled workers, persons with disabilities, displaced workers, or victims of trafficking, illegal recruitment, or child labor. (JDP/MTBB-PIA CAR,Abra)