MECO center produces new OFW computer graduates

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Ugnayan, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Migrant and Immigrant Center, set up to give further skills training for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan, has graduated during the weekend a batch of students here.

Twenty students, all OFWs based in Taiwan, graduated last Sunday in the computer technology skills training program set up by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei. This was the third batch of students to graduate since classes started January 2009.

Lawyer Rodolfo Sabulao, director of Labor Affairs, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei, said the center would also serve as a center for all OFWs in Taiwan to hold their activities instead of the park during Sundays, their day off from work. The center also has an office that would be used to help out OFWs in distress, such as those with legal problems or are facing charges in Taiwan. The office is called the Filipino Workers Resource Center, which is housed at the Ugnayan Center office.

The trainings being held at the Ugnayan are Microsoft Office, basic computer operation, food preservation, personality enhancement, women’s accessories, dress making, bartending, cellular phone repair, computer repair, language training courses such as Mandarin and Nihongo.

An estimated annual budget of NT$280,000 (Taiwan dollar) was being allotted, said Sabulao. The first Ugnayan Center in Taiwan was established in Taichung County three years ago. All the trainors of Ugnayan are Filipinos.

Each course training takes two months. There are no fees to be paid and all OFWs are qualified on a first-come first-served basis.

The training is a big opportunity for OFWs to further their skills and find better paying jobs either in Taiwan or other countries abroad. – Sandy Araneta