15 September 2016 — Five (5) more batches of trainees composed of Filipino workers and dependents in Milan attended and completed the Basic Italian Language Course for Beginners and the IT training on Basic Computer Operation.

In a simple but lively closing ceremony on September 08, Consul General Marichu Mauro congratulated 95 graduates, who are Filipinos mostly aged 15 to 24 years, for diligently attending classes in the afternoon and on weekends from July to August.  Taking note that the training graduates are newcomers to Italy, she assured them that their newly-acquired knowledge and skills will not only help them better integrate into the Italian culture and lifestyle but also prepare them for better work prospects.

The Philippine Consulate General supports the various integration programs of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as these programs prepare Filipinos on the work attitude, knowledge and skills necessary as new entrants to the Italian labor market.

Each training batch were also given a financial literacy seminar, values enhancement training, and a Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) conducted by the Embassy’s consular officers and representatives of the attached agencies: POLO, OWWA, Pag-IBIG and SSS.

Training graduates expressed their interest to enroll into the advance courses of Italian language and IT training. POLO-OWWA is preparing a specialized course offering on computer systems design, networking and troubleshooting and computer-aided graphics design. A review class will be offered for Filipinos who will take the Italian language exam as requirement for Carta di Soggiorno application. Interested Filipinos in North Italy may enroll directly through the POLO-OWWA office at the Consulate or through the Filipino community organizations in Milan. END