The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have stepped up efforts to help returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) rebuild careers in the country, as 58 OFWs completed the pilot KAALAMAN Scholarship Program on Tuesday.
In a news release on Wednesday, DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay underscored the importance of continuous upskilling and reintegration support to help OFWs establish stable livelihoods after years of working abroad.
“The KAALAMAN Program does not only provide training but also creates real pathways toward quality employment opportunities for our OFWs,” Bay said.
The OFW graduates completed specialized training courses designed to improve their employability and livelihood opportunities.
Under the program, scholars underwent training in Paramedics, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC), and Caregiving, which are expected to open both local and overseas employment opportunities.
The DMW said 165 OFWs enrolled in the program, with 146 successfully completing it, including the 58 first-batch graduates.
The agency said most of the OFW scholars came from the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, while others came from Hong Kong and other parts of Asia and the Pacific region.
The Pilot KAALAMAN Scholarship Program serves as the flagship training component of the DMW’s broader KAALAMAN Program, which focuses on reintegration through financial literacy, entrepreneurship support, skills enhancement, and preparation for alternative sources of income.
The initiative is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance its reintegration programs, aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the welfare of OFWs and provide them with decent opportunities upon returning to the country.
The DMW added the program reflects the government’s push to equip OFWs with practical, marketable skills that can help them transition into sustainable employment or business ventures upon their return home. (PNA)
