DICT Boosts Skills Training, Online Jobs Nationwide Through Tech4Ed-Rural Impact Sourcing Program

The Department of Information and Communications Technology sealed partnership with 27 LGUs to promote Rural Impact Sourcing Program in Tech4ED centers nationwide. Photo: DICT

The Department of Communications and Information Technology (DICT) advances digital literacy and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills training among Filipino talents and freelancers to boost opportunities for high-value online jobs in rural areas in the country.

The collaboration of the DICT’s Tech4ED Project and Rural Impact Sourcing aims to bridge digital gap by providing digital access and informal skills training to the “unserved” and “underserved” communities. It also aims to increase access to digital markets and business process outsourcing (BPO) in far-flung communities with high unemployment rate.

In realizing the goals of the Tech4ED and Rural Impact Sourcing program in the countryside, 27 Local Government Units (LGUs) have formalized partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology through a Memorandum of Agreement during the 2017 Philippine Impact Sourcing Conference held last April 5-6 in Davao City.

Under this partnership, Tech4ED-RIS centers will be established in selected 27 sites nationwide which will serve as training venue and co-working space for the trainees. Meanwhile, RIS training and workshop will be conducted among scholars to equip them with ICT-related skills needed for employment. Each site will have 20 selected scholars who will undergo face-to-face sessions of trainings and will be partnered with 20 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for the last phase of the training session.

“This is an opportunity for us to promote and also position the Philippines as the preferred hub for global online freelancing and rural impact sourcing. We still have so much to work to do but we are getting there with the help of our private partners,” said DICT Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim during the 2017 PISCON in Davao City.

Teh4ED-RIS centers launched in Luzon

Carmona Cavite Municipal Mayor Dahlia Loyola, 5th District of Cavite Representative Roy Loyola, DICT Usec. Monchito Ibrahim and Tech4ED Project Manager Teresa M. Camba led the ceremonial ribbon cutting to launch the 1st Tech4ED-RIS hub. The joint initiative of DICT and the LGU of Carmona seeks to boost employment opportunities among the people in Carmona, Cavite.

Three Tech4ED-RIS centers were formally launched in Luzon Cluster 2 to pilot RIS program. The first Tech4ED-RIS site was opened in Carmona, Cavite and two more in Baler Aurora and Balanga, Bataan.

"The Rural Impact Sourcing program aims to bring online jobs opportunities and to showcase Filipino talents especially in remote areas where teh program is most needed. However, urban areas should also be considered as beneficiaries for this initiative as we aim for an inclusive growth and development." - Luzon Cluster 2 Director Cheryl Ortega

Carmona, Cavite Municipal mayor Dahlia A. Loyola is optimistic that the initiative will boost employment opportunities to the people by capacitating them with ICT-related skills needed for employment.

"The partnership of the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Local Government of Carmona, Cavite through the Tech4ED-RIS project will really address the need to enable the people, especially the young ones with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills and to help them improve their status of living. ” - Mayor Dahlia A. Loyola

The LGU of Carmona established 2 Tech4Ed-RIS buildings which will serve as training hubs and working spaces. Mayor Loyola also expressed her plans of launching Tech4ED-RIS hubs in Milagrosa and upland barangays in the area.

This initiative is really a blessing to the LGU of Carmona Cavite and we give our all-out support to the programs and projects which empowers the people” - Mayor Loyola

Meanwhile, Tech4ED-Rural Impact Sourcing was launched in the People Empowerment and Advancement Center for Employment (PEACE) Center at Brgy. Suklayin, Province of Aurora.

The center launching was graced by, Aurora Governor Gerardo Noveras, and Aurora Vice Governor Rommel Angara and District Representative of Aurora Bellaflor Angara-Castillo along with the students, teachers, senior citizens and other sectoral groups who witnessed the event.

 “Kahit na maliit na Probinsya lang ang Aurora, ipakita natin sa kanila na tayo ay puno ng magagaling at masisikap na mamamayan” said Rep. Angara-Castillo.

The Province of Aurora and the City of Balanga, Bataan sealed the Memorandum of Agreement with DICT to formally launch the Tech4ED-RIS program. This initiative will promote ICT skills and online job opportunities in the community.

Moreover, Balanga City Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia sees that with the establishment of Tech4ED-RIS program, more residents will be digitally empowered with skills that are in demand in the digital realm.

“We are really glad that this program has materialized in the city of Balanga. We will continue to support this initiative especially that we see that our people will greatly benefit from this project.” Said Mayor Garcia.