The Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) is one of the many government agencies that responded to the development of new technology. As a response, they created the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program—a free training program for active OWWA members that will help them improve their IT skills.
Also Read: List of OWWA Scholarship Programs
With the advancement in technological developments combined with the necessity to avoid crowds due to the recent health crisis, many industries have shifted to navigating the world remotely through the Internet. This prompted the need for more developed IT skills, as education, livelihood, and even employment shifted to using online setup instead of the traditional face-to-face interaction of old.
The OWWA IT Training program also hopes to help students establish a broad foundation of core skills and technology applications that will enable them to meet the rising demand for office automation and associated fields.
What is OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program?
The OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program is one of OWWA’s short-term training programs for OFWs and their qualified dependents. It is a free training program specifically designed for active and inactive OWWA members who wish to enhance their Information Technology (IT) skills. Through this program, OWWA hopes to show its support to the OFWs and their families by helping them stay connected.
Originally created to keep the OFWs connected to their families by setting up IT Training centers, the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program has evolved into a training program meant to teach IT applications to help improve the employability of the member OFWs and their qualified dependents.
The new Information Technology (IT) Training Program now offers in the same IT training centers, basic computer literacy programs—Basic Computer Operations and Digital Media Arts Training. The study module also covers lessons in Word Processing (Microsoft Word), Spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel), Presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint), Desktop Publishing (MS Office Publisher), Windows Movie Maker, and Adobe Photoshop.
These lessons come in training modules filled with learn and earn short term courses which will teach the beneficiaries about how to use technology wisely and how to manipulate the different computer application fundamentals so they could broaden their career opportunities.
The evolved IT training program will also improve their computer literacy skills by giving them access to technology, bridging the communication gap that distance created between the OFWs and their families so they can communicate with each other through the internet.
Benefits of the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program
The OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program offers free IT applications to active and inactive OFWs and their dependents. That in itself is already a benefit of the program. It also comes with a free 10-day training program at selected Informatics branches or at any OWWA Regional or Satellite Welfare Office which makes it very similar to a scholarship program.
The free training program offers lessons in using basic computer applications like Word Processing (Microsoft Word), Spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel), Presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint), Desktop Publishing (MS Office Publisher), Windows Movie Maker, and Adobe Photoshop.
Qualifications
To qualify for the free OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program, you just have to be an OWWA member. Whether you are active or inactive is irrelevant for this grant. As long as you can prove that you are an OWWA member, then you are qualified to avail of this free training.
Likewise the qualified dependents of either an active or inactive OWWA member can also avail of the benefits of the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program. However, for you to be an eligible dependent, not only do you have to show proof of identification and relationship to the OFW member, you also have to meet at least one of the following criteria;
- If the OFW is married:
- An OFW spouse;
- An unmarried OFW child who is under the age of 20 and has completed high school
- If the OFW is single or is a single parent:
- An unmarried OFW child who is under the age of 20 and has completed high school
- An unmarried OFW sibling under the age of 20 who is a high school graduate
Requirements
Just like any other OWWA scholarship program, the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program comes with certain documentary requirements that applicants need to secure and prepare before they can start the application process and qualify for the benefits of the program.
To help you get started, we rounded up the complete list of documents that the OWWA Regional or Satellite Welfare Offices (RWO/SWO) will require from you:
- A duly accomplished Information Technology (IT) Training Program application form
- Any proof of OWWA membership
- Membership Record secured from the OWWA RWO
- Official receipt of OWWA membership contribution
- OFW E-Card
- Any proof of active or inactive OWWA membership
- Applicant’s and the member OFW’s valid photo ID
- Documentation proving the applicant’s relationship to the OFW, which could be any of the following:
- Birth Certificate of the applicant, if the applicant is a child of active OWWA member OFW who is married or single
- CENOMAR of OFW and birth certificate of OFW child or sibling, if the active OWWA member OFW is single.
Step-by-Step Procedure in Applying for the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program
Following the completion of the necessary documentary requirements, OWWA member OFWs or their eligible dependents may proceed with the application process to avail the benefits of the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program by following the steps listed below:
- Get a copy of the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program application form through either of the following:
- By contacting the local OWWA Regional or Satellite Welfare Office (RWO/SWO), or
- By visiting the OWWA Regional or Satellite Office (RWO/SWO) nearest to the OFW member’s permanent address and personally securing the form.
- Visiting the nearest Informatics branch and personally securing the form.
- Fill out the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Application Form with all the required personal information.
- Once the application form has been accomplished, prepare the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program Application Form and attach all the documentary requirements for the grant application.
- Bring the SUP application form and documentary requirements and submit it at your nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO). You may also submit the Application Form and all the other required documentation to the nearest Informatics branch to you.
- Secure an appointment to the nearest OWWA Regional or Satellite Welfare Office (RWO/SWO):
- Use the appointment scheduler available on the OWWA website (appointment.owwa.gov.ph).
- Use the appointment scheduler on the OWWA Mobile App.
- On the selected date of the appointment, visit the selected OWWA RWO/SWO that is closest to the OFW-member’s permanent address.
- Secure a queuing number and wait for your turn at the Information Technology (IT) Training Program queue.
- Present the OFW ID or the valid original Philippine passport of the OWWA-member OFW for verification of Membership Record.
- Wait for the verification of the OWWA membership of the OFW applicant to be completed.
- Once the membership is proven to be valid, then you may submit the program Application Form along with the rest of the documentary requirements.
- Wait for a confirmation message regarding your application from an authorized person.
- Once approved, you will receive a notification via call, text, or email regarding the status of your grant application from an authorized representative from either OWWA or Informatics.
- Once approved, you will receive the schedule for the issuance of the Notice of Award.
- Return on the given schedule to claim the Notice of Award (NOA).
- Present the NOA to your preferred accredited training center upon enrollment for your free training to be confirmed. This will serve as your free pass to the IT Training Program resources.
Important Reminders
Some of the things you need to take note of when applying for the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program include:
- Applications for the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program must come with complete documentary requirements.
- Applications with incomplete documentary requirements will not be accepted or processed.
- All applications are subject for review and further verifications, especially when it comes to the submitted documentary requirements.
- The OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program is only available at selected OWWA Regional and Satellite offices so you will need to check with the branch first to know if it is available.
- The OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program is available in all Informatics branches across the country.
- Only after the approval of the program application will the applicant get a schedule for the issuance of the Notice of Award (NOA).
- You will need to present and submit the Notice of Award (NOA) at your preferred training center or institution as it will serve as your free pass when you enroll in the course.
- Note that the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program is a free program offered by OWWA and not a loan, so there won’t be any need to pay it back later on.
- The OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program is offered to all OWWA member OFW, regardless if they are active or inactive, as well as their eligible dependents.
Video: What to Expect from the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program
Learn more about what the program grantees get upon availment of the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program by watching the Youtube video below:
Frequently Asked Questions
To guide you with the particulars of the program and help you with the application process, we rounded up some of the most common questions you may have and provided the answers you will need about the Information Technology (IT) Training Program from OWWA. Please be guided accordingly.
1. Is the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program offered at all OWWA locations?
No. Because of the agency’s limited budget, this Information Technology (IT) Training Program from OWWA is only available at a few selected OWWA Regional and Satellite offices. It is, however, available in all Informatics branches nationwide.
2. Who can apply for and avail of the benefits of the Information Technology (IT) Training Program from OWWA?
The OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program is offered to all OWWA OFW members, whether active or inactive, as well as their qualified dependents. The qualified dependents would have to present documentary proof of their relationship with the member OFWs and satisfy either one of the following criteria at the same time:
- If the OFW is married:
- An OFW spouse;
- An unmarried OFW child who is under the age of 20 and has completed high school
- If the OFW is single or is a single parent:
- An unmarried OFW child who is under the age of 20 and has completed high school
- An unmarried OFW sibling under the age of 20 who is a high school graduate
3. What courses are offered under the OWWA IT Training program?
The OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program was originally created to help keep the OFWs and their families connected by providing IT centers with communication and web resources. Later on, the Information Technology (IT) Training Program evolved and OWWA partnered with Informatics to offer basic computer literacy programs in the same IT training centers or in Informatics branches nationwide.
Some of the learn and earn training courses that they offer include:
- Basic Computer Operations
- Digital Media Arts Training
- Word Processing (Microsoft Word)
- Spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel)
- Presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint)
- Desktop Publishing (MS Office Publisher)
- Windows Movie Maker
- Adobe Photoshop
4. How will I know whether I’ve been accepted into the IT Training program offered by OWWA?
Successful applicants will be notified by authorized representatives from OWWA or Informatics about the status of their program application either through call, text, or email.
5. Does the OWWA IT Training Program benefit offer cash grants?
No. All approved applicants of the OWWA IT Training Program shall be given a Notice of Award (NOA) instead. This NOA will be presented to their selected training center upon enrollment and it will serve as their free pass confirming their application to the program upon enrollment.
6. I have other questions or concerns regarding the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program. To whom should I direct them?
If you have more concerns, inquiries, or questions about the OWWA IT Training Program grant, then you may reach out to OWWA or Informatics directly. You may contact OWWA via their website, or by phone, via email, or by visiting any nearby OWWA Regional or Satellite Welfare Office (RWO/SWO).
In case you need it, here’s the complete contact information for OWWA:
Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA)
Office Address: F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: 8891-7601 to 24
OWWA hotline number: 1348, (02) 1348 (Regional), (+632) 1348 (International)
OWWA Email Address: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
OWWA Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
You may also check out the OWWA scholars’ Facebook Page for more information on all the available OWWA services and benefits at https://www.facebook.com/ProudOWWAscholars/.
Summary
The OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program is a free short-term IT program that hopes to keep OFWs and their families connected. Later on, the program evolved to include provisions for training in various Information Technology (IT) skills so they may better equip themselves with the technology and improve their livelihood and employability in or out of the country.
The program is also made available to all active and inactive OWWA members, as well as their qualified dependents provided that the dependents satisfy the criteria for eligibility and provide proof of identity and relationship to the OFW member. Successful applications will receive the notification through call, text, or email and upon receipt, they may already claim their Notice of Award (NOA) and start their trainings for free.
As the technological advancements continue to influence our daily routine, OWWA ensures that their members are prepared and equipped with the necessary competencies to adapt and even step up their game while getting them a step closer to meeting the demand for office automation and other related fields with a tap on the screen.
Interested applicants of the free training program under the OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program may inquire about the program particulars at OWWA or Informatics directly. They may also contact OWWA via their website, or by phone, via email, or by visiting any nearby OWWA Regional or Satellite Welfare Office (RWO/SWO).
For more information on OWWA IT Training and other short-term programs, interested applicants may also visit their official website www.owwa.gov.ph or download the official OWWA Mobile App to check and maintain the status of their membership or to simply stay connected to the rest of the members of the OWWA community.
Contact Information
Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA)
Office Address: F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: 8891-7601 to 24
OWWA hotline number: 1348, (02) 1348 (Regional), (+632) 1348 (International)
OWWA Email Address: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
OWWA Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/