Embassy to start two courses in June

The Philippines Embassy will start courses in Autocad 2000 and cosmetology for the next batch of Filipino workers in June. These professional courses will be offered, if a minimum required number are enrolled.

The courses, intended to upgrade the skills and give wider job opportunities for Filipinos, are held under the auspices of the Labour Attache's office, as part of the continual educational programmes to support the workers.

They were started more than a year ago with the support of Filipino experts and trainers working on a voluntary basis to serve the community members and help them acquire new skills.

Annabella Oliveros, the labour attache, said: "The success of the training programmes depends highly on the cooperation and support of the community's volunteers."

An embassy official said the three-month courses will be held throughout the year. Sixtynine participants, who recently graduated in these two courses, will be given certificates tomorrow evening at a ceremony.

About 20 of them attended the cosmetology course, and 49, mainly men, enrolled for the Autocad course.

The official said the training programme comes within the framework of the Integration Programme of the Philippines Government.

It aims to enhance the skills of the workers who will be easily reintegrated in the labour market if they go back home.

"We do not know for how long the employment trend overseas will last. Filipinos have to acquire skills to have more job opportunities once they go back home or start their own businesses."

He said the participants are already employed but willing to acquire additional skills to improve their position. Prepara-tions are under way to start new courses.

"For the time being the courses will be a repetition of those already delivered in cosmetology and Autocad 2000 but more subjects could be introduced in the future."

He said enrolment for the courses will start soon. Participants have donated some money to the labour office which will be used to buy equipment and materials to benefit students of the next course.