Basic Office Skills Training Program

In 2014, PICA designed a new program titled “Basic Office Skills Training Program”: A Mobile Educational Outreach Program for ‘Out-Of-School’ Youth & Single Parents ages 17-35 – with at least a Junior High School diploma and are seeking employment – not only within Pasay City but reaching out as well to different dioceses needing our assistance.

So far, PICA has already served seven dioceses since 2014 until the current year, with eleven batches who graduated from the course. A good number of them are now employed in call centers, in government offices and in small companies – with decent jobs appropriate for their educational attainment and training.

“Basic Office Skills Training Program” consists not only of “Basic Computer Skills” but also of “Communication Skills”. We all know that English for us Filipinos – is one of the basic courses directly dealing with instruction and development of literacy. But there is more to it than just learning and improving English. Communication Skills encompass other aspects of life, which are useful in many careers. In fact, the objectives of “Communication Skills” as part of the ‘twin-course’ are as follows:

Learn the fundamentals and essence of Communication
Unlearn common errors in English
Acquire Mastery of the language
Contextualize the use of body language
Deepen self-knowledge, self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-worth
Identify roadblocks to effective communication
Build self-confidence, and
Help nourish their Christian life.

Above objectives will be realized as the learners undertake and are guided towards internalizing the course content given during the 70-day or 500-hour intensive program.

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Fundamentals of Communication

A. Communication as a theory

1. Basic Terms
2. Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication

B. Communication in Practice
C. Barriers to Communication

Module 2: Oral & Aural Communication

I. Part ONE:

A. Assessment Tests (Written & Oral)
B. Listening & Speaking Exercises

II. Part TWO:

C. Listening Activities
D. Speaking Activities

Module 3: Fundamentals of English: A Review

A. Nine Parts of Speech: A Review + Exercises
B. Grammar Rules: A Review + Exercises
C. Simple Present Tense & Its Uses + Exercises
D. Simple Past Tense & Its Use + Exercises
E. Future Tense with “Will” & Its Uses + Exercises
F. Future Tense with “Will” vs. “Going to” & Its Uses +Exercises

Module 4: Psychology of Communication:

A. Self-Awareness
B. The SELF and Communication

1. Intra-Psychic Structure (IPS)
2. Elements of the IPS Influencing Communication Process

2.1. Needs-descriptions
2.2. Values
2.3. Defense Mechanism
2.4. Personality Styles
2.5. Emotions
2.6. Attitudes

C. Normal & Abnormal Communication

Module 5: Personal Development

A. Character Building

1. Understanding the meaning of “Character”
2. Concept of Man
3. The Deep-rooted Traits
4. Backbone of Character

B. Moral Values

1. Meaning of Values
2. Sources of Morality

C. Moral Issues

1. Same-Sex Marriage
2. Abortion
3. Euthanasia

Module 6: Effective Communication in the Workplace

A. Communication Errors in the Workplace
B. How to Possess Good Communication Skills in the workplace
C. Handling Difficult Situations & Conflict Management
D. Ethics in the Workplace

Module 7: Faith-based Media Literacy Education

A. Principles of Media Literacy
B. Similarities and differences of media literacy, information
literacy, and technology literacy
C. Media Culture & Today’s Youth
D. Gospel Values vs. Media Values

Primarily, the project aims at fulfilling the learner’s three basic needs, namely, SAFETY, SELF-ESTEEM and at length, SELF-ACTUALIZATION.

Safety because the program attempts to lead them towards security of the family. They will be highly motivated to do their best so that they can get a more decent job than scavenging and working in bars as “GROs” [or, pseudo “guest relations officer”]. After completing the course and getting the COC (Certificate of Competency) from the government agency, they will easily find a job, thus, have the necessary resources to support their families.

Self-Esteem, because the course, particularly “Communication Skills” will offer the learners various opportunities to deepen their self-awareness and get to know themselves better – who they are and what they can be. Their skills once developed will increase their self-confidence, self-respect and they will also learn how to respect others.

Self-actualization, because discovery of ones hidden potentials is a realization that a person must be what he thinks he can be.

“Basic Computer Skills”, on the one hand, attempts to:

Provide the participants with a basic understanding of the internal and external hardware parts of a computer.
Enable them to identify the fundamental principles of operating systems.
Demonstrate basic diagnostic procedures and trouble-shooting techniques necessary to perform preventive maintenance on desktops, laptops and portable devices.
Explore how computers are generating career opportunities.
Be able to critically evaluate Web pages for authenticity, applicability, authorship, bias and usability.

To realize above objectives, “Basic Computer Skills” includes the following course content:

MODULE 1: Computer Basics (10 Days)

Orientation
Getting-To-Know Computers
All about Desktop Computers
Understanding Applications

MODULE 2: Software Concepts (3 Days)

Operating Systems (Windows 8)
Software Basics
Basic Diagnostic Procedures

MODULE 3: Encoding (10 Days)

Technique concepts
Correct Finger Locations

MODULE 4: Word Processing (MS Word) (7 Days)

Opening new/existing Documents
Formatting

MODULE 5: Accounting Management (3 Days)

Data Base
Spreadsheets (MS Excel/Access)

MODULE 6: Creative Presentation (10 Days)

Basic Digital Technology
Digital Audio
MS Power point

MODULE 7: Internet (3 Days)

MODULE 8: Ethics in the Internet (4 Days)