Manila: 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.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bernos emphasized that as digital and remote jobs continue to increase in popularity, digital literacy training could help the youth fill gaps in skills needed in the sector. She highlighted the importance of such training for senior high school graduates who have not been able to enroll in college and are looking for employment opportunities that could help them further their education in the future.

She urged TESDA to specifically target these students for its training programs. TESDA currently offers a range of digital and information and communications technology courses, including training in digital marketing, artificial intelligence, web development, and content creation.

Bernos has been a strong advocate for government support in helping out-of-school students find sustainable livelihoods, allowing them to hold onto their dreams of higher education through decent work. She noted that many young Filipinos who wish to pursue higher education are unable to do so due to financial constraints, and the limited availability of scholarship slots exacerbates this issue.

'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),' Bernos said, emphasizing the crucial role of government intervention in empowering the youth.