On 29 October 2014 the ILO launched the training programme at the Calubian National Vocational School in Leyte. Attending the ceremony were Ms Cleta M. Omega (Regional Director, TESDA R-8), Ms Martha Españo (Project Coordinator, ILO), Ms Emma Remitio, (Skills Development Officer, ILO), and Ms Rachel Amualla (Project Officer, Save the Children). The training's goal was to provide non-agriculture economic activities for sustainable livelihood recovery after Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated Region VIII's agriculture sector. The region’s poverty incidence of 41.2 per cent was estimated to rise to 55.7 per cent due to an increase in unemployment and food price hikes after Haiyan.

The sub-project provided skills training in carpentry to 165 participants and in food processing (fish and meat) to 188 participants. Competency certificates were awarded to participants who passed a post-course assessment, which enhanced their competitiveness in the employment market.

During the training, all participants received allowances, training materials, three months enrolment in social security, three months’ health insurance, and one year of accident insurance.

Ms Martha Españo, ILO Project Coordinator, welcomes the first batch of trainees during the launching of the Skills and Livelihood Training Programme in Calubian, Leyte on 29 October 2014. The sub-project was implemented with Save the Children and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Region VIII (TESDA R-8) as partners.