The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Metro Manila Mayors’ Spouses Foundation, Inc. (MMMSFI) have joined forces for the Special Skills Training Program for Marginalized Workers.
 
TESDA Director General, Secretary Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two groups aims to provide free skills training, assessment and starter tool kits for the poor.
 
The program will benefit the urban poor, disadvantaged women, informal workers and other marginalized workers who have no permanent jobs or livelihood, he also said.
 
Through the MOU, TESDA and the MMMSFI will jointly give free skills training to the marginalized workers of Metro Manila so that they would have enough skills when they are finally employed.
 
Mamondiong also awarded to the members of MMMSFI and their representatives the certificate of commitment for those who will qualify for the TESDA scholarship. The skills training is expected to begin in November.
 
The MMMSFI is a group dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of the residents of Metro Manila, particularly women and children. Led by Janet A. Olivarez of Paranaque City, its members are the wives of Metro Manila mayors.
 
Among the “qualifications” which the beneficiaries may learn in the program are hair coloring/bleaching services (leading to hairdressing) NC II; perform hair cutting services (leading to hairdressing) NC II; perform facial treatment (leading to beauty care) NC II; perform foot spa (leading to beauty care) NC II; perform facial make-up (leading to beauty care) NC II and perform manicure and pedicure (leading to beauty care) NC II.
 
Mamondiong also said that a mobile training and institution-based training for the beneficiaries would also be implemented so that they won't have a hard time choosing their "qualifications."