By ANCOP CME Team with Reports from Efren Tompong
QUEZON City — With the rising need for more skilled workers in the job market, another institution, Philippines Austria Cultural and Educational Society (PACES), has stepped up to collaborate with CAGFI to meet the demand for a skilled workforce in the industrial, manufacturing, and service industries.
Representatives from PACES, an NGO based in Austria, sealed its partnership with CAGFI to support 7 TVET students, who will be studying at the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI)-Makati Campus.
The parties officially signed a Scholarship and Partnership Agreement at the Couples for Christ (CFC) Global Mission Center on August 16.
Present were Dr. Jane Abaya, retired Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the current President of PACES; PACES Education Programme Director/ Chairman of the PACES Scholarship Committee Dr. Efren Abaya; PACES Chief Strategy Officer Amb. Solphie M. Confiado (Ret); and PACES Founding Member and Vice President (Internal) Mme. Precie R. Confiado.
The Confiados are both active CFC leaders and founding members of PACES.
TVET’s potential to change lives
“The Philippines, with its substantial working-age population, holds the potential to contribute significantly to the country’s development. Despite the current disparity in enrollment between TVET and degree courses, we are committed to changing the perception of TVET as inferior,” Dr. Efren Abaya said, explaining the significance of TVET gaining more enrollees.
He shared high hopes for the PACES partnership.
“Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has emerged as a beacon of hope, offering one of the most effective ways to alleviate poverty, especially among young adults and parents… We firmly believe in the transformative power of TVET and its potential to bring about significant change,” added Dr. Abaya.
Choosing the 7
On August 2, the Confiados and Dr. Abaya had a heartwarming meeting with their sponsored students.
They learned about the students’ life situations and aspirations, forging a personal connection beyond financial support.
The seven, five males and two females, are from Culion and Busuanga, Palawan. One of the seven trainees, is a “Tagbanuan”, a member of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) who proudly shared his plans in helping his fellow IPs.
Through the DM Mission Station Program, a program initiated by the Diocese of Taytay to support underprivileged students, the parish priest of Immaculate Conception endorsed them to DBTI Makati.
Fr. Cyrill and Fr. Elmer agreed to accept them despite the challenge of finding funds for their tuition and board and lodging since the students will be living on the premises of DBTI Makati.
When CAGFI decided to allocate the PACES funds to DBTI’s program for Migrant TVET students instead of the cheaper funding requirements for live-out students, which could have increased the total sponsorship to 14, it was a decision made after careful consideration of the students’ needs and the potential impact.
“The decision to award the sponsorship to Palawan instead of Leyte shows that God makes a way. He has the best plan at all times,” explained Tompong.
Breaking the cycle
The seven Palawan students have made a solemn commitment to complete their 12-month TVET courses, which include practical and theoretical training in their chosen fields. Their drive to uplift their families through their education, said Tompong, is “truly inspiring.”
He added: “These are humble aspirations from humble individuals, but with our support, they can become a reality. Let’s stand by them and be part of their journey.”
CAGFI, PACES, DBTI-Makati, and the Diocese of Taytay’s DM Mission station are not just separate entities working towards a common goal.
According to Amb. Confiado, what is notable about this most recent partnership is how several institutions worked together to help those in need.
“We are a united force, sharing the same vision and mission for a better life for the youth. We are proud of the early gains of our partnership…Together, we can make a difference,” Amb. Confiado shared.
Meanwhile, PACES Vice President Precie Confiado also noted how CAGFI is tapping into a niche that has yet to be fully explored.
“CAGFI is taking a leading role in promoting TVET as a more direct and effective path to help families break the cycle of poverty that has plagued them for generations,” she added.
