08 July 2014 - Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales, together with the Pilippine Labor Attaché to Singapore, officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, was on hand to extend his congratulations to the graduates of the Skills Training Program (STP) offered by HOME Academy 1 on July 6 at the Ban Heng Pavilion Restaurant, Harbour Front Centre, Singapore.
A total of 251 graduates, mostly Filipinos, constituted the first batch of those who completed courses in caregiving, aromatherapy, baking, cooking, cosmetology, dressmaking and English. The second batch of graduates of HOME Academy 2 will have their own graduation ceremony on July 27.
The Skills Training Program is managed by the Singapore-based Humanitarian Assistance for Migration Economics (HOME), one of the many charitable organizations that work for the welfare of foreign domestic workers in Singapore.
In his remarks, Ambassador Morales commended the graduates for investing their hard-earned money, time and effort to gain additional knowledge and learn new skills in their search for new and better livelihood opportunities in the future. He also extended his appreciation to the officers and members of HOME, employers, benefactors and friends and the volunteer teachers – for unselfishly sharing their time, expertise and support for the students.
Ambassador Morales said that the Philippine Embassy is a proud partner of HOME in its Skills Training Program and also in its advocacy of promoting the welfare of foreign domestic workers consistent with the Philippine Government’s thrust of maintaining strong collaboration with non-governmental organizations in the self-development of Filipinos at home and abroad.
The Ambassador encouraged the graduates to start at the earliest opportunity, small enterprises utilizing the knowledge that was imparted in the program. He also urged them to spread the knowledge and skills that they have acquired to fellow Filipinos whenever they have the opportunity to do so highlighting that the program is intended not solely to educate but also to develop in the graduates a more sharing attitude toward others. END