OFW Journals (OFW Stories on the News) and Some OFW Employment, Career & Business Tips

EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS

An OFW OWWA member may avail for himself/herself or his/her duly designated beneficiary any of the following scholarship programs, subject to a selection process and accreditation of participating institutions.

1. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)

The Education for Scholarship Program is a scholarship grant offered to qualified beneficiaries/dependents of OWWA member-OFWs who intend to enroll in any 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course.

It is given in the form of a financial assistance amounting to P 30,000.00 per semester. The OWWA pays the tuition fee directly to the school and releases the remaining amount upon the scholars' submission of grades for the semester.

Scholarship Privileges

1. Financial assistance amounting to P 30,000.00 per semester
2. The scholar may choose his / her desired program/course offered by a CHED-accredited college or university
3. Scholarship shall continue until completion of the course (4-5 years), regardless of the status of OFW membership provided the Scholarship Agreement is complied with

Eligibility Requirements

1. Must be a child of a married OWWA member or brother / sister of an unmarried OWWA member
2. Must be 21 years old or below
3. Must be a Filipino citizen
4. Be in good health and with good moral character
5. Must have an average grade of at least 80% and belong to the upper 20% of the graduating class

Documentary Requirements

1. Accomplished application forms (2 sets)
2. 1"x 1" ID pictures (2 copies)
3. Proof of relationship to Member (copy of Birth Certificate of applicant and of the Member if related as brother or sister duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar or NSO)
4. Form 137 or Transcript of Records with Principal's Certification on Scholastic Standing
5. Proof of OWWA membership (i.e. Official Receipt of OWWA Contribution/Certification from OWWA Membership Processing Center)
6. Health Certificate attesting to physical fitness of applicant (Form B)
7. Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by the School Principal/Guidance Counselor (Form C)
8. Certification that applicant belongs to upper 20% of graduating class issued by school principal (2 sets)
9. Statement of applicant that he/she has not earned units in any post-secondary / undergraduate course (Form E)
10. Sworn Statement that he/she has no pending application for resident immigrant status in any country and does not have dual citizenship signed by parent or legal guardians (Form F)

2. Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)

The Skills for Employment Scholarship Program is a scholarship program that the OWWA offers in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), to land-based or sea-based OWWA member-OFW's or their dependents/beneficiaries.

A qualified applicant may avail of either a one-year technical of a six-month vocational course offered following the regular school year calendar.

Upon receipt of the scholarship voucher, the grantee may enroll in any TESDA-registered program. Program choices shall be supportive of the land - and sea-based skills requirement. Financial assistance for a one-year program is P14,500.00 while for a six-month program is P7,250.00.

The amount of financial assistance will be paid directly to the training institution. If the tuition fee is more than the financial assistance, the scholar will shoulder the difference. If the tuition fee is less, the difference will be given to the scholar upon completion of the course.

Course offerings include: agriculture and fishery; processed food and beverages; tourism (hotel and restaurant); decorative crafts and ceramics; gifts, toys and housewares; jewelry; metals and engineering; furniture and fixtures; garments; construction; communication/electronics/information technology; maritime; land transport; health, social services; and other community, social and personal services.

Availment Requirements

1. Must be an active OWWA member (land-based or sea-based) or beneficiary/dependent of an active OWWA member
2. Must pass the TESDA qualifying examination or Multiple Aptitude Battery Test (MABT) on the program of choice
3. Have at least one (1) recorded membership contribution

Three (3) additional membership contributions are required for subsequent availment. After completing the course, must submit for competency assessment and certification administered by TESDA or its accredited testing center.

Qualified beneficiaries/dependents

1. Child not older than 21 years old or spouse of a married OFW
2. Brother/sister not older than 21 years old of an unmarried OFW

Documentary Requirements

1. Accomplished application forms (2 sets)
2. 1"x1" ID pictures (2 copies)
3. Form 137 / HS Report Card or Transcript of Records/ official copy of grades
4. Proof of OWWA Membership: official receipt of OWWA contribution / OFW E-Card
5. If a Member's beneficiary: proof of relationship to OWWA member (e.g. copy of marriage contract and/or birth certificate of both OFW and applicant- dependent duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar)

3. Seafarer's Upgrading Program (SUP)

The Seafarers' Upgrading Program is intended to provide OWWA-member seafarers job-related training in priority maritime courses identified by the Maritime Training Council. It is designed to upgrade the skills, and develop the expertise of Filipino seafarers in accordance with technological advancements and international maritime standards.

Beneficiaries under the SUP receive from OWWA financial assistance fro training costs, ranging from a minimum of P 1,200.00 to a maximum of P 7,500.00. These amounts are inclusive of meal and transportation allowances in the case of trainees referred to the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP).

Filipino seafarers who are active OWWA members may avail of the program. Beneficiaries may subsequently avail of the SUP after payment of three (3) additional membership contributions and if training is availed of within the prescribed period.

Course Offerings

The Seafarers' Upgrading Program is intended to provide OWWA-member seafarers job-related training in priority maritime courses identified by the Maritime Training Council. It is designed to upgrade the skills, and develop the expertise of Filipino seafarers in accordance with technological advancements and international maritime standards.

Availment and Documentary Requirements

All Filipino seafarers who are OWWA members are entitled to avail of the program once every three (3) contributions. Availment may be assured upon first (1st) payment. Documents required are:

1. Accomplished application form
2. Seamen's Identification and Record Book (SRIB)
3. Poof of OWWA Membership (OR Of contribution)
4. 1"x1" photo (2 copies)
5. Latest residence certificate

4. DOLE-OWWA Tulay Microsoft Project

In partnership with Microsoft Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and OWWA launched Tulay or Bridge Education Program, which provides OFWs IT training and access to technology that will enable them and thei families to communicate through the internet.

The Tulay or Bridge Education Program is a part of Microsoft's Unlimited Potential (UP), a global initiative aimed at providing technology and skills for underserved individuals. OFWs and their families learn the basics of computer applications such as MS Word, Powerpoint, Excel as well as internet and e-mail use at the Community Technology Learning Centers (CTLC).

Through Tulay, the OWWA expects OFWs to gain IT skills that will enhance their work, thus increasing their value in the workplace. These new IT skills can further help them become more competitive in pursuing a career in the country upon their return.

The project also aims to address the primary issue of family disintegration. It is hoped that through the project, problems arising form OFWs' prolonged separation from their families will be greatly minimized and as it mitigates the social impact of being away from home because of the accessibility and ease of using technology to connect and communicate to loved ones at home.

The CTLCs being maintained and operated by DOLE-OWWA are located at the OWWA Central Office, OWWA Satellite Office in POEA, OWWA Regional Welfare Offices in La Union, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. OWWA overseas posts with CTLCs are: Riyadh (KSA), Hong Kong, Taichung (Taiwan).

5. Tuloy-Aral Project

The Tuloy-Aral Project was launched last December 2004 with the objective of assisting the children of less fortunate former OFWs as well as other poor and needy elementary and high school children. The DOLE and the OWWA regional offices, with the assistance of DSWD, identify children of former OFWs needing financial assistance to send to school. The DSWD or DOLE/OWWA prepares a family profile that shall serve as the basis for the selection of the beneficiary.

The Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) are tasked to promote and identify OFWs who are successful, financially stable and in good standing to act as prospective foster parents. OFW organizations may also volunteer to act as foster parents.

Identified foster parents are requested to provide a US $ 100.00 financial support per year to the child-beneficiary to enable him/her to continue his/her elementary or high school education. The amount will help cover for expenses such as books, school supplies, materials for projects, transportation, authorized school contributions, and allowance for the whole school year.

The OWWA Family Welfare Officers monitor eacg child's progress in school. The Tuloy-Aral project is nationwide in coverage as it is being replicated in each region of the country.

MORE INFORMATION at http://www.owwa.gov.ph