LAGANGILANG, Abra (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) -Abra kicked off the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) and Project MARITES (‘Mobilizing Available Resources through Inclusive Training on Entrepreneurship of Student-Grantees’) in the province at the University of Abra (UA)-Lagangilang campus.
The launching was attended by around 50 college students of the UA, Abra Valley Colleges, and Data Center College of the Philippines. They will be the mentees of the four-day training course.
DTI-Abra Provincial Director Marvin Arcangel explained that the YEP aims to build a culture of entrepreneurial mindset among the youth through a series of capacity building activities.
“Starting a business while you’re young teaches you much about the real world, you learn by doing, which helps you develop various skills like solving problems, thinking critically, communicating well and understanding finances,” he stated.
He thanked the UA headed by its president, Dr. Gregorio T. Turqueza Jr., and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-Cordillera led by Regional Director Demetrio Anduyan Jr. for mobilizing the students to participate and for providing free venue.
The training program covers four modules covering values and background for business owners, business operations, resources and finances and business pitch.
CHED-Cordillera Division Chief Menzi Kuengan said that the YEP is a unique program for students, and encouraged them to take it seriously.
“My dear students, this is a very unique training opportunity for you all, you are very fortunate because you cannot just go to any classroom to sit and learn this,” she said.
On the final day of the training, Arcangel said that the students will hold business pitching where they will present and propose their own crafted businesses through the entrepreneurial skills that they learned.
The YEP in Abra is the last leg of the regional rollout through DTI provincial offices. (CAGT-PIA CAR, Abra)
