by Monica Mirjana Cruz

From March up to June 2014, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will be sponsoring a series of livelihood trainings for residents of Los Baños.

With the theme Kasanayan, Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran, the trainings aim to equip Los Baños residents with skills that they can use to earn income. Conducted annually, the series of trainings are primarily intended for mothers, out-of-school youth, persons with disability (PWD), and senior citizens. Resource persons are from the Livelihood and Technological Resources Center (LTRC) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

On April 24 and 25, the training on paper products for PWDs and senior citizens will be held.

Meanwhile, other upcoming trainings, which will be conducted in barangays, are as follows:

• Shoe- and slipper-making (5 days)
• Solar energy (2 days)
• Crocheting (5 days)
• Fashion accessories-making (2 days)
• Corporate giveaway and novelty items (5 days)
• Giveaways from dried leaves and grass (3 days)
• Bamboo crafts (5 days)
• Small wood works (5 days)
• Livestock and poultry products (2 days) in partnership with the Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster of the College of Agriculture at UP Los Baños
• Stuffed toy-making (5 days)

Gliceria, the Los Baños PESO officer, explained that barangay officials will be tasked to scout for potential participants of these trainings in their area.

According to Gliceria Trinidad, head of PESO, the abovementioned trainings will be conducted in barangays to ensure higher participation rates. Although the trainings have intended participants, individuals who are interested may also attend.

Aside from these livelihood trainings, PESO also provides Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-accredited skills trainings, employment facilitation and referral, local recruitment, and job fairs.

Trinidad said that people who continue to participate in their programs inspire them to do better in their work. She added that Los Baños residents should not hesitate to seek help from PESO because there are several job opportunities that they could provide and their office is more than willing to help them.

For inquiries about the trainings and other PESO programs, you may contact their office at (049) 536-5976.