By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
Hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) received certificates yesterday after completing a six-month Information Technology programme of the Philippines labour department in Doha.
Formerly known as the “Tulay” or Bridge Education Programme, the project aims to equip Filipinos with basic and advanced computer knowledge.
The programs being taught include Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint), Photoshop, web page design, MS Access, PC assembly and networking.
Labour attaché Leopoldo De Jesus urged the 11th batch of 536 IT graduates to continuously enhance their skills.
“I am hoping that you will also become IT instructor volunteers in the future and continue serving our fellowmen,” he said.
The IT classes in Doha are organised by the Philippine Overseas Labour Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Office (POLO-OWWA). Recently, AKO (Al Khor Community Organisation) Pinoy helped in holding separate classes in Al Khor.
Yesterday’s event was attended by vice consuls Melvin Almonguera and Kristine Bautista together with other officials of the embassy and POLO-OWWA.
In his speech, Almonguera highlighted the contribution of the volunteer instructors.
He said the term “Tulay” (bridge) was meaningful for the new IT graduates. “The knowledge on computers and applications that they learned will be their bridge in securing a better future.” Almonguera stressed the importance of keeping up with the latest computer applications. As skilled workers, the new graduates will have numerous options in pursuing a brighter future, he said.
“If they want to stay here or want to work in other countries, they can use these skills to find high-paying jobs,” he said.
OWWA officer Philip Alano told Gulf Times that the programme has helped underprivileged OFWs to get promotions or better jobs. He cited the case of a former taxi driver who managed to finish the course and was successful in securing an office job.
POLO-OWWA is also holding baking and beads-making classes. “We hope that these programmes will continue to increase so we can provide better opportunities to OFWs and their families,” he said.
Many of the previous graduates who benefited from the free computer education course have turned volunteer instructors.
In December 2012, some 500 received certificates of completion and many have expressed willingness to be volunteer lecturers.
AKO Pinoy is also planning to offer a separate course to teach OFWs in the Industrial Area to use social networking sites like Facebook and Skype.