THE INAUGURAL blended training for domestic work NC II wrapped up its recent assessment test which earned praises from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Isidro Lapeña.

The TESDA official immediately congratulated those who passed the competency assessment test.

“Congratulations for being certified skilled workers! I hope that along with the knowledge and skills you gained from the training, you also gained the confidence and readiness to begin your journey overseas,” Lapeña said.

In partnership with the International Labor Organization and its training institution, Fair Training Center, TESDA launched last May 24 the blended training program for Domestic Work NC II to address the need of outbound domestic workers for a shorter course duration without compromising the quality of the training.

The compressed training period was a combination of online classes and face-to-face training conducted by FTC.

The 10-day online lectures (excluding weekends) were done through a private Facebook group page where trainees accessed their modules, videos and assessment activities.

Submission of assignments as well as counseling sessions courtesy of the FTC, was done via Facebook Messenger Rooms and Messenger Chats.

The face-to-face component — held at the FTC in Parañaque — focused on the learner’s readiness for their Domestic Work NC II assessment as well as applying the competencies they learned from their online classes such as right use of household equipment and adopting the proper decorum as foreign household workers.

Eighteen out of the 20 trainees completed the training and passed their assessments which they took at the Pasay-Makati Training and Assessment Center last June 9 and 11.

The other two were unable to complete the training for personal reasons.

All participants from the batch already have employers in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore and are now processing their overseas employment contract.

Since the program’s launch, trainees were excited and motivated to finish the course.

“To TESDA and ILO, thank you for granting the 12-day blended learning program of FTC which helped us have more time to take care of our family and other important matters while we are getting the right kind of training,” said Aiza Mae Buenavides, one of the graduates who is bound for Hong Kong.

Another graduate from Valenzuela City, Elinalyn Sabandal, added, “I am confident enough to pass the assessment because I am strongly supported by organizations like TESDA, ILO and FTC. We thank ILO and FTC and we are honored and privileged to be part of this joint program with TESDA. We deeply appreciate your support.”

The ILO shoulders all the expenses of the program’s pilot implementation which will run for six months with a minimum of 60 trainees.

Lapeña said the program will be immediately recommended for adoption by other training centers offering domestic work if the pilot program proves effective.