38 graduate from air-conditioning, refrigeration course

 Prompted by a desire to learn more about air-conditioning, Evelyn Lapuz decided to enroll in the Domestic Refrigeration and Aircon Mechanic course offered by the Philippine Consulate General through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.

“It would mean additional skills for me,” said Lapuz, who works as an underwriting and claims supervisor at Century Insurance Co., Ltd. “Besides, the class was offered on weekends and I have free time so I wanted to learn.”

Lapuz was among the 38 graduates of the second batch of the course, which has seen a dramatic increase in demand among female Filipinos on Saipan.

From having only two female graduates out of the 54 members or 4 percent of the first batch, the number rose to eight female graduates or 21 percent of the second batch.

“I’m very pleased that we have from this batch more female graduates who are very eager and determined to learn these skills. Their participation in the class was very significant,” course instructor James R. Abuy of Pacific Islands Club told Saipan Tribune.

The class, which began on Nov. 5, had its graduation ceremony on the day they took up the business management component of the class from Jun D. Bañadera Jr. or on Nov. 19.

The ceremony held at the Filipino Workers Resource Center was followed by a festive celebration and get-together at the Kilili Beach Pavilion along Beach Road.

Lapuz, having received her certificate of completion, is bursting with pride. “I’ve already learned the basic skills like how to clean and maintain my own air-con units. I feel like I can do anything because I’ve learned a skill that’s learned mostly by men. It’s easy if you have the resolve to learn and be trained.”

Another female graduate, Anna S. De Guzman, couldn’t agree more, now that she knows the difference between a condenser and an evaporator.

“My aircon broke down recently and I was the one who checked to see what was wrong with it and save money in the process. I really learned a lot,” said De Guzman, who has taken almost every course offered by POLO.

Abuy, a master electrician licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines, disclosed that not all of the graduates were green in this field. “Actually, there were technicians among the group and they shared the knowledge they have with the rest of the class.”

Abuy said the class, which was divided into five groups, demonstrated cooperation and teamwork as they themselves brought tools to supplement their lectures and facilitate a better understanding of the lessons.

“I hope their learning doesn’t end here,” noted Abuy. “Application of their new skills is key. They have to apply what they learned and explore some more.”

Abuy said his dream for both batches is to see them all get U.S. certifications. Three of his former students, he said, recently passed the certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“We’ve been talking about it a lot. I encourage them to take the test and the two classes have plans to merge for their review and I’m willing to assist and support them the best that I can,” he said.

The Domestic Refrigeration and Aircon Mechanic is one of the three courses offered by the Consulate through POLO for the fourth quarter of 2011.

The Basic Computer Operations I – Batch 54, which held its graduation ceremony on Nov. 20, had 21 graduates, seven of whom are females.

The Fruit and Vegetable Carving – Batch 3, meanwhile, had 43 graduates, 37 of whom are females. Their graduation ceremony was on Oct. 22.

Labor representative Carmelina F. Velasquez said she wants to see the graduates “translate into action” whatever skills they gained.

“Initially, it’s just for domestic use and application. But hopefully and eventually, they are able to put up their own business in the Philippines in line with the livelihood courses they have learned,” she said.

Having their own businesses, Velasquez said, will have a “multiplier effect.”

“We want to encourage them to have their businesses in the Philippines to create jobs and help in addressing the unemployment problem in our country,” she added.