MindanaoToday.com | CDO youth group gears up for Kahigayonan Expo 2024
By: Shaun Alejandrae Y. Uy
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Out-of-School Youth Development Alliance (OSYDA) Cagayan de Oro will hold the Kahigayonan Expo 2024 on August 12–14 to highlight various government social services, promote skills training for youth, showcase innovative product displays, and encourage entrepreneurship and opportunities.
“Basically, Kahigayonan tries to showcase each of the members of OSYDA. Bringing their services, products, or technology closer to the youth—more particularly to the out-of-school youth,” said Jerome L. Torres, vocational school administrator of the City College of CDO-Technical Skills and Technology Institute, during the 21st regular meeting of the OSYDA Cagayan de Oro at Chali Beach Resort on May 9.
The theme of the expo, “Transforming Challenges into Opportunities,” anchors its efforts to enhance employability through practical skills and connect youth with industry professionals. It is consistent with the government’s endeavors to meet industry requests for workers who can convert roadblocks into opportunities for innovation and expansion.
“The theme emphasizes the power of resilience and adaptability—key qualities for out-of-school youth to thrive in today’s job market,” he added.
The three-day expo will feature exhibits, “Uy! TalkTaBa!” a series of talks with topics on how to empower the youth in becoming professionals and following their dreams. A job fair will also take place on the second day of the expo.
This made it possible for different local and national organizations that help out-of-school youth in the city with education, jobs, skills training, ways to make a living, and starting their own businesses to work together smoothly. USAID Opportunity 2.0 provided funding for the activities during its initial operations.
Other local governments and institutions are planning to conduct a benchmarking activity here on May 29 or 30, according to USAID Opportunity 2.0 Project Youth Development Coordinator Kotie Bax.
Different local offices, national government agencies, youth groups, and the private sector make up the OSYDA group. The OSYDA group functions as a mechanism, deciding on priority interventions that tackle the envisioned challenges and critical constraints on the path to youth development.
OYSDA is institutionalized through City Ordinance 14329-2022. (SAYU/PIA-10)
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