Since 1985, the OWWA has been implementing the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP). It is one of the agency’s short-term training programs, which aim to enhance the specialized skills and employability of OFWs and their dependents.
The SESP program offers financial assistance that enables beneficiaries to complete a technical or vocational course in a government training institution. The program’s benefits, eligibility requirements, and guidelines are presented in the OWWA official website.
Program Benefits
The SESP program provides financial assistance worth up to PHP 14,500 for a short-term training course, which typically takes six months up to two years. This could be a technical or vocational course in any school accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), or other government training institutions in the Philippines.
Eligibility
Those who are eligible to join the SESP program include the following:
- Active OWWA Member-OFWs;
- Spouses of OFWs;
- Children of OFWs; and
- Siblings of OFWs who are single or not married.
NOTE: Children of OFWs, or siblings of OFWS who are single/not married must not be older than 24 years old at the time of application.
Requirements
Interested applicants need to prepare the following requirements:
- Filled-out SESP Application Form;
- 2×2 Colored ID Photo (two copies);
- At least two Valid IDs;
- Diploma, High School Report Card, or any proof of High School Completion; and
- Proof of the applicant’s relationship with the OFW Member, such as: Birth Certificate of Applicant (for children of OFWs); Birth Certificates of Applicant and OFW (for siblings of OFWs); Marriage Certificate (for spouses of OFWs); and Certificate of No Marriage or CENOMAR (if the OFW is single).
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How to Sign Up
Meanwhile, here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the SESP program:
- Go to the nearest OWWA Regional Office and present your passport or valid ID at the Education and Training Unit for verification of your membership records.
- Ask for an SESP Application Form and fill it out. You’ll need to provide information about the applicant, the OWWA Member-OFW, and the purpose of SESP availment (i.e. local employment, overseas employment, job promotion, skills upgrading, job placement, or business/self-employment).
- Submit the completed application form, 2×2 colored ID photos, high school diploma or report card, and other requirements to the OWWA Regional Office.
- Wait for a message from OWWA regarding the approval of your application and your schedule for claiming the Notice of Award (NOA).
- Go back to the OWWA Regional Office on the given schedule to claim the Notice of Award.
List of Training Courses Under SESP
The SESP program covers courses in schools accredited by TESDA, MARINA, and other government training institutions. The list of courses are extensive, although here are some of the most common technical and vocational courses included under the program:
Agriculture and Fisheries
- Agricultural Crops Production
- Agro-Entepreneurship
- Animal Production
- Fish Capture and Aquaculture
- Horticulture
Business and Administration
- Accounting
- Bookkeeping
- Business Administration
- Payroll Administration
- Project Administration
Health and Social Services
- Caregiving
- Health Care Services (Nursing Assistant)
- Medical Transcription
Personal Services and Crafts
- Decorative Crafts and Ceramics
- Dressmaking/Tailoring (Garments)
- Massage Therapy
- Hilot (Wellness Massage)
- Jewelry Making
Hospitality and Tourism
- Bartending
- Bread and Pastry Production
- Commercial Cooking
- Cookery
- Events Management Services
- Food and Beverage Services
- Front Office Services
- Housekeeping
Information Technology and Communication
- Animation
- Computer/Software Programmer
- Computer Systems Servicing
- Graphics Design
- Web Design
Technical and Engineering Fields
- Aviation Courses
- Carpentry
- Electrical Installation and Maintenance
- Heavy Equipment Operation
- Maritime Courses
- Plumbing
- Rigging
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Additionally, here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the SESP program:
What is the SESP program?
The SESP is one of OWWA’s short-term training programs. It provides financial assistance that enables beneficiaries to complete a technical or vocational course, thus enhancing their skills and employability.
What are the benefits?
The program offers financial assistance worth up to PHP 14,500 per beneficiary. This amount covers tuition and training fees for a technical or vocational course in schools accredited by TESDA, MARINA, or other government training institutions.
Who are eligible to join?
Beneficiaries of the SESP program may include: OFWs who are active members of OWWA, spouses of OFWs, children of OFWs, and siblings of OFWs who are single or not married. The children and siblings of OFWs must not be older than 24 years old at the time of application.
What are the requirements?
Interested applicants must submit the following: completed SESP application form; two 2×2 colored ID photos; at least two valid IDs; diploma, report card, or any proof of high school completion; and proof of the applicant’s relationship with the OWWA Member-OFW, such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, or CENOMAR.
How to sign up?
To sign up for the program, interested applicants are advised to go to the nearest OWWA Regional Office for checking and verification of their membership records. Then, they need to fill out an SESP application form and submit it, together with other necessary documents. Afterwards, they must wait from a message from OWWA regarding the approval of their application, and claim their Notice of Award (NOA) on the given schedule.
Thanks to the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program or SESP, OFWs and their families can upgrade their skills, thus improving their opportunities for employment, or even for business/self-employment.
Aside from short-term courses, OWWA also offers long-term scholarship programs that enable beneficiaries to complete a four- or five-year college course. These include the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), the OFW-Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP), and the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) — all of which are offered to qualified OFWs and their dependents.