Guided by Mr. Mark Angelo Sakay, the instructor, we toured the training center and met some of the participants. This call center training is certified by TESDA, the Philippine Government Organization for vocation training. Flyers we distributed in the Pasig area to find participants within the community who are in financial needs and look for a change to get a job.

The day we went for the visit a large computer company was conducting interviews with our participants who are just about to finish the training. Their trainer is inspiring and shows real concern for the participants. When we talk with them we discover that many of them have tried for a long time to find jobs but were not considered by the companies. We were amazed by the new found confidence of the young people, their English was clear and they talked to us with a big smile on their face, holding eye contact the whole time. Their training includes English grammar and pronunciation, cultural understanding and differences, moral values, assertiveness, how to do well in a job interview and much more. 80 % of the trainees get hired within 5 interviews by the partner companies of the training center we are told and they are also helping those who are not hired by their partners to find jobs elsewhere.

One young woman told us about her struggles to find work. She was in tears when she told us that no matter how hard she tried she just couldn’t find a company that would offer her a job. She feels it will be different now. She leaned that she made many mistakes in her interviews before, that she was far too shy and that her English was not good enough. Now she is prepared and confident that she will find employment. She learned to speak with several English accents, like Australian, British or American.

The day we went was interview day and it was exciting to see how they went out in small groups and soon after they came back we heard that all but one had passed the interview criteria of the company. That was a great feeling. The one who didn’t pass will still get interviewed by more companies that come to look for talents. She received feedback on her interview and can improve for the next time.

It was just lovely to see a group of young women and men full of confidence and with doors opening wide for them for employment. And this, of course, will give them a chance of giving their families a better life.

Cost of call center training 39,600 Pesos for 30 participants (prices may change)