FORTY-THREE out-of-school youth in Quezon City completed an entrepreneurial training provided by the Technological Institute of the Philippines.

The one year training was part of the Opportunity 2.0 program of the US Agency for International Development.

NEGOSYANTE or “Navigating, Engaging, and Gearing Out-of-School Youths As New Technology Entrepreneurs” aims to teach underprivileged children how to use available technologies that can help them earn.

Under the mentorship of TIP faculty members, participants were provided with technical skills, business training, and values formation to help them set up their own online businesses through social media and other internet-based applications.

“The collective journey continues, and we should not doubt that together, we will make a lasting and positive impact on the world,” Dr. Angeles de Guzman, Dean of TIP Quezon City College of Business Education and project manager, said.

Dr. David Hall, Chief of Party for the USAID Opportunity 2.0 program and the Education Development Center, commended TIP for merging its commitment to entrepreneurship with its responsibility to the local community through the project.

“What we’re trying to do is to strengthen systems to help out-of-school youth in the Philippines back into education and employment. And perhaps, most significantly with this grant, into self-employment,” Dr. Hall said in his closing ceremony video.

The outreach program started in June 2022 with 76 learners but only 43 completed the training modules.

All participants were honored with certificates and special awards. Cash prizes were also handed out for the top teams that presented best outputs.