Microsoft gives $1.2-M grant to TESDA for IT skills training

By melvin G. calimag , Mb


Shelling out its biggest donation to date in the Philippines, software giant Microsoft has given a $1.2 million worth of grant to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to train 1,000 non-government organizations (NGOs) around the country.


TESDA, the government agency in charge of upgrading the skills development of the country’s human resources, will use the software to train NGO trainors who will then transfer their skills to beneficiary communities.

The training project, dubbed "Kapit-Bisig," is part of Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP), a global initiative of focused on providing technology skills for underserved individuals. Recipients of UP grants are public centers where people can gain IT skills and training to help themselves and their communities.

The $1.2-million grant to Tesda is part of the $15 million fund allotted for UP initiatives in the Asia Pacific this year, according to Lori Forman, regional director for community affairs for Asia Pacific of Microsoft.

The Microsoft donation is actually composed of more than $90,000 in cash and $1 million in software for the installation of computer training laboratories in 44 Tesda centers nationwide. The software firm also provided a curriculum for UP implementation, a project management module, and $93,800 for operational expenses.

Antonio "TJ" Javier, managing director of Microsoft Philippines, said the project is also aimed at involving community stakeholders, particularly the NGOs, to address local needs. "That’s why we also chose an agency like Tesda who can work with other agencies as well."

The "Kapit-Bisig" project is expected to train a total 20,000 Filipinos coming from underserved communities in the Philippines. The Tesda centers can be used by beneficiaries as community e-centers after they have acquired the needed IT skills, a Tesda official said.

The program will provide technology training ranging from basic computer literacy skills to the usage of advanced business productivity applications.

Augusto Syjuco, Tesda director general, said the agency expects to implement the program over a five-year period and plans to tap other resources to augment the project.

Aside from the Tesda centers, Syjuco said they will try persuade congressmen to allot a small space near the town plazas in the provinces that Tesda can use as Learning Resource Centers.

Also, Syjuco disclosed that the agency has also started to use public schools buildings in the countryside to train underserved communities during weekends when there are no classes.