Around 160 residents here are recipients of various skills training as the local government resumed its free livelihood and skills training program at the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) that temporarily stopped at the height of the pandemic two years ago.

TIIC Molo campus head Maria Mathilde Treñas, in an interview on Wednesday, said eight training programs have been made available for the trainees to include basic welding and fabrication, reflexology training (massage), housekeeping services, computer literacy, cosmetology training, culinary arts, basic bar management and food servicing, and basic emergency response.

The training programs resumed on February 28 and slots are already full in some schedules, so she is contemplating opening another class to accommodate those who are interested.

It was in March 2020 when TIIC stopped giving the programs, which originally started in 2014.

“The training programs are very beneficial because if they acquire skills, they can find ways to earn an income,” Treñas said.

After the training, they will be asked to comply an on-the-job training (OJT).

Trainees on reflexology and cosmetology will be asked to render free services during the pampering of women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others (LGBTQ+) employees at the city hall as part of the National Women’s Month celebration on March 29.

Treñas added that before the health pandemic, some of their trainees were employed by the hotels.

“While this is just a training but its content is similar to that of TESDA (Technical Education, Skills and Development Authority). After their training we will facilitate for them to get an NC, National Certificate II,” she said.

The training schedules vary for each program but the shortest is reflexology which lasts for 15 days and the longest is the basic bar management and food service which lasts for two months.

The city’s Public Employment and Services Offices (PESO), Treñas said, has already signified its interest to tie up with the TIIC.

“Since they are on employment and we are on training, so they complement,” she said, adding that she is contemplating requesting starter kits for the trainees upon completion of the training program. (PNA)