Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos on Monday called on the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide digital literacy training to Filipino youth who are unable to enroll for higher studies to increase their chances of finding work.

“As digital and remote jobs continue to increase in popularity, digital literacy trainings could help our youth fill gaps in skills that are needed in the sector,” the lawmaker said in a news release.

“Such trainings could be of particular use to our senior high school graduates who have not been able to enroll for college and would like to find jobs that would help sustain higher studies in the near future.”

She urged TESDA to target these students for its training programs.

The TESDA offers various digital and information and communications technology courses, including training for digital marketing, artificial intelligence, web development and content creation, among others.

Bernos has been advocating for the government to help out-of-school students find livelihood “so they could continue holding on to the dream of higher education through decent work.”

“The sad reality is that many young Filipinos who wish to enter higher learning institutions are unable to because they do not have the means, and we only have so many scholarship slots to give,” she said.

“Pero sa tulong ng pamahalaan, makakakapit sila sa pag-asang makakapag-ipon sila para matupad ang kanilang pangarap na makapagtapos ng pagaaral (But with the help of the government, they can cling to the hope that they can save to fulfill their dreams of finishing their studies). (PNA)