Amid the evolving world of digital technology and the vast opportunities that come with it, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and IBM Philippines have sealed a partnership that will sign up young girls under the care of the agency to tech-based training and short courses offered by IBM’s ‘SkillsBuild’ learning program.
The latest digital initiative of the Department was introduced to the beneficiaries of the Marillac Hills-National Training School for Girls (NTSG), on Wednesday (June 25) as the DSWD and IBM Philippines signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the Skills Build System.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said this tie-up project will bring out the best of the Department and IBM’ PHs intention to extend hope to the most vulnerable groups.
“Ang linya ng DSWD hindi lang kami tumutulong ng pang materyal kundi binabalik natin yung pag-asa sa bawat kliyente natin. At ngayong umaga labing-apat na malapit na mag-age out — ibig sabihin malapit na silang lumisan sa aming care facility — ang bibigyan natin ng sapat na kaalaman. [Bibigyan natin sila ng] sapat na interbensyon para bumalik yung pag-asa nila para magkaroon ng mas magandang kinabukasan,” Secretary Gatchalian explained.
The DSWD chief emphasized that the initiative takes shape from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s big heart for the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sectors.
“Fourteen young ladies (victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation) currently living in one of DSWD’s care facilities are now part of the IBM Philippines’ SkillsBuild System,” Secretary Gatchalian said in a post on his official Facebook page.
Under the partnership, the children, particularly from the Marillac Hills-NTSG will be the first batch from the agency-managed center and residential care facilities (CRCFs) who will undergo skills upgrade and earn digital certificates in tech-based fields.
“Alam naman natin ngayon, everything almost involves technology… Ang gusto natin nakakasabay ‘yung mga bulnerableng mga kliyente natin… dapat na bigyan natin ng sapat na armas at kaalaman para makasabay sila sa agos ng mundo,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The IBM SkillsBuild offers over 1,000 courses in 20 languages on Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, programming and coding and many other technical disciplines, as well as workplace skills.
This is seen as a crucial initiative by both the DSWD and IBM, particularly in preparing children, who are approaching legal age, as they will eventually leave the facilities and journey toward independent living.
IBM PH President and Country General Manager Aileen Judan-Jiao said the certificates and micro-credentials that the young girls will earn through the training program will be recognized by prospective employers both in the local and global landscapes.
“Yung aaralin ng mga kabataan natin dito ng ilang oras, kung saan gagabayan sila ng empleyado ng IBM, makakakuha sila ng digital micro credentials, parang maliit na diploma… pwede mo ipakita sa Facebook o sa LinkedIn, or pag mag-aapply ka ng trabaho,” the IBM PH president pointed out.
Alias ‘Ice,’ was among the Marillac Hills residents who expressed her excitement over the program, citing she regards the idea of working in the tech industry as a ‘possibility.’
“For me po kasi yung question is willing po ba ako magwork in technology, sa tingin ko po, pwede, kasi marami ka nang pwedeng malaman, marami ka ring pwedeng taong matulungan,” Ice said.
The DSWD has earlier partnered with Caritas Philippines Foundation Inc. to help the agency’s CRCF residents gain knowledge on values formation as part of a whole-of-nation approach in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. (LSJ)