A transformational opportunity
Like many overseas Filipino workers, 56-year-old Conceso (right) from Cebu was determined to give his family a good life and a bright future. It pushed him to work as a skilled worker in an oil company in the Middle East for two years. However, his experience was not all milk and honey. He discovered that working for other nationalities could be excruciating, mostly due to cultural differences, work ethics, and language barriers.
“My colleagues and I felt demoralized,” shared Conceso, adding, “We would always get yelled at and were treated poorly.”
Yearning for a more meaningful career, Conceso came home to the Philippines after his two-year contract without a backup plan. He persevered to look for opportunities, and fortunately, he heard a radio announcement about a free construction training program, to which he eagerly applied.
The program was locally called the Panday Buhay Project – a construction skills development and capacity-building program to help marginalized workers like Conceso attain multiple vocational qualifications, achieve better employment, and improve their lives.
“Despite my age, I still wanted to learn new skills. I grabbed that opportunity under the Panday Buhay project and it helped me in many aspects,” said Conceso.
Through the Panday Buhay project, Conceso took the electrical installation and maintenance (EIM) trade in 2021. The daily training was challenging for him, especially at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when he had to adjust to online learning while managing safety concerns related to electrical work. However, he treated each obstacle as a stepping stone toward personal growth, which helped him secure a National Certification Level II for EIM.
“The new skills that I acquired not only helped me find more rewarding jobs, but were also useful at home. I could also get construction jobs in our community,” he shared.
As part of the Panday Buhay project’s goal to strengthen the support system of construction workers in their industry, Conceso and his co-trainees in the province of Cebu organized a workers’ association – the Cebu Skilled Workers and Trade Specialists (CSWATS).
In a full-circle turn of events, the CSWATS was tapped to help construct core houses for the families affected by Typhoon Rai (Odette) in Talisay City, Cebu, enabling the Panday Buhay trainees to use their skills in helping families in dire need of safe and decent homes.
“Even though the pay was quite small, I was truly happy to help the community. We helped them rebuild their homes. It was a fulfilling, heartwarming, and priceless experience,” shared Conceso.
For Conceso, his journey with the Panday Buhay project has opened a pathway to a new career and transformed his outlook in life giving him personal fulfillment. Looking ahead, Conceso dreams of strengthening the association through projects that can further enhance the economic resilience of his fellow construction workers.
“We aspire to become a legitimate contractor, so we can do more construction projects. We also want to form a cooperative to help each other’s finances,” said Conceso.
In sharing his story, Conceso encourages others to pursue their dreams despite the challenges.
“Don’t lose hope. Even though you’re not able to finish school, if you persevere and fight for your dreams, there will be life-changing opportunities for you like this,” he advised.
Conceso emphasized the importance of projects that provide essential training and job opportunities, especially for people who struggle to find work because of insufficient skills. He believes that these initiatives empower people not just economically but also socially.
“I hope there will be more donors who will support projects like Panday Buhay, so that more people like me can develop new skills and have decent jobs, which can eventually uplift our lives and allow us to serve our communities,” he said.
