American Politics and Foreign Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

American Politics and Foreign Policy - Essay Example The concluding section will draw upon all of this information and the global arguments will be considered when making a finalization about the matter. In April this year, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will consider withdrawing from Europe's key arms control treaty in response to United States' plans to install missile defense systems in Eastern Europe (Danilova, 2007). The Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, which was signed in the last few months of the Cold War, has been considered as the foundation of stability in Europe. It places limits on the number of conventional weapons and foreign forces that can be deployed among member nations (Navosti, 2007). This particular aspect provides the backbone to the matter. In the first indication that the United States was losing patience with Moscow's inflexibility on the issue, Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, described Russia's fears simply as "ludicrous" (Columbia Tribune, 2007). "The Russians have thousands of warheads," she told a press conference in Oslo prior to a NATO meeting. "The idea that somehow you can stop the Russian strategic nuclear deterrent with a few interceptors just doesn't make sense" (Columbia Tribune, 2007). Mr. ... Mr. Putin said he had decided to declare a moratorium on an updated version of the treaty because NATO powers had failed to ratify it (Danilova, 2007). The United States and its NATO allies said they would not ratify the treaty until Russia withdrew its troops from Moscow-backed seceding republics in Georgia and Moldova - an argument the Russian Kremlin dismisses as a pretext to allow Washington to boost its military presence in Eastern Europe (Navosti, 2007). Background on the Treaty Negotiated and signed during the final years of the Cold War, the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty is often referred to as the "cornerstone of European security" (Crawford, 2002). According to the Reuters Fact box (2007) the treaty, signed on November 19, 1990, eliminated the Soviet Union's overwhelming quantitative advantage in conventional weapons in Europe by setting equal limits on the amount of tanks, armored combat vehicles, heavy artillery, combat aircraft, and attack helicopters that NATO and the former Warsaw Pact could deploy between the Atlantic Ocean and the Ural Mountains (Crawford, 2002). Designed to prevent either alliance from concentrating forces for launching a blitzkrieg-type offensive, the treaty employs a system of concentric zones mandating smaller deployments of tanks, ACVs, and artillery the closer one moves toward the center of Europe (FAS, 1999). While the threat of such an offensive all but disappeared with the breakup of the Warsaw Pact and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the CFE Treaty's weapons limits and inspection regime, which provides an unprecedented degree of transparency on military holdings, continue to play an important role in Europe (FAS, 1999). CFE states-parties overhauled the treaty in November 1999,

Philosophy of Religion Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Philosophy of Religion - Research Paper Example Not many of us can answer properly what God actually means to them. The definition of God has widely varied across the globe from time to time. Regardless of nationality, religion and race, perhaps the greatest debate is whether God exists or not. It has been found out that some people believe in existence of God, they cannot identify Him. Some can identify God in differ forms, deities or elements but cannot find it difficult to relate or believe. While some others totally disbelieve in plurality of God, some people deny the total existence of â€Å"God†. To them, it is some supreme force that has created the universe and as the source of life in it (Remos 33-34). A further division of views can be made between people who do and do not believe that God transcends and present among worldly beings (Remos 34). Broadly, all the worldly religions can be divided into two distinct categories. First comes the ones who believe in oneness of God, or the monotheistic. Then comes polytheistic, or the ones who believe in plurality of forms of God. The ancient religions like the ones of Israel and Egypt were monotheistic religions (Allen 72). But it is found that, even within one single religion, be it monotheistic or polytheistic, purity is not followed, that is, within a monotheistic religion polytheistic features can be found. Christianity is n apt example of this. Bible supports the existence of â€Å"God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.† (Remos 33) Some major religions like Islam and Jewish are strictly monotheistic, while religions like Hinduism supports polytheistic views. One finds numerous Gods and Goddesses, Demigods and even spirits, in various forms and avatars. In Hinduism, each of these Gods is supposed to serve different purposes. Worship of these individual Gods contains monotheistic

Strategic management Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategic management - Article Example This presence can further intensify the competition as more and more niches within the market are developed. There can be opportunities specially in terms of offering comprehensive services under one roof because most of the players are focused on providing specialist services and are not clearly focused on universal medical services under one roof. 2) Due to lack of more sophisticated hospitals in non-urban areas, the overall bargaining power of consumers may be low. However, due to overall size of the healthcare suppliers, there is relatively higher bargaining power available to suppliers i.e. physicians, medical professionals, healthcare supplies etc. The fact that RRMC was not able to procure some of the supplies required for essential procedures therefore outline that due to demand and supply dynamics of medical supplies suppliers, they are yielding more power. The overall competitiveness and the lower concentration of high quality services providers in the non-urban areas there fore make it relatively more lucrative for new players to enter into the market. The chances for the substitute products to dominate the market are relatively low because alternative medicine is not common yet and therefore may not take place of the traditional services offered. The overall rivalry in the industry therefore is relatively high due to the fact that more and more players may enter into the market and serving different niches of the market. 3) One of the key competitive advantages of RRMC is its ability to offer different services under one roof. Started as an acute services provider, RRMC developed itself into a larger healthcare services provider by including innovative services such as heartburn treatment center, chest pain treatment, and diagnostic services along with other general services. This therefore can serve as one of the key competitive advantages for RRMC and can distinguish it from other players in the market which are mostly focused on providing selectiv e services. This competitive advantage could be sustainable if RRMC is able to continuously upgrade its operations and bring in more innovativeness in its operations. An expanded base of services coupled with latest technology therefore can surely help RRMC to maintain its competitive advantage and sustain it for longer period of time. 4) A closer analysis of the facts provided in the case study suggests that RRMC’s inbound logistics may have minimum impact on its competitiveness. However, the operations of the hospital are really critical and are probably the major source through which it generates its competitive advantage. The network of different departments and services including outpatient departments therefore can serve as the outbound logistics of the firm. Outbound logistics of the firm coupled with operations of the firm work in tandem to offer RRMC a unique advantage in the market. The use of membership incentives through MedKey program can also serve as one of the key sources for competitive advantage of the firm. Through this, hospital has been able to achieve both the retail i.e. individual as well as local businesses as customers and offered them bundled services. The use of internet for the purpose of market can also be considered as key part of the overall marketing campaign of the hospital to maintain its competitive advantage. Since the essential nature of the hospital is to provide healthcare servic

Sigmund Freud Biography Essay Example for Free

Sigmund Freud Biography Essay Sigmund Freud believed that the unconcious is the motivation for all simple desires. He believed that an organism is special because of its need to reproduce, and its need to survive. He thought that they are guided towards their needs by hunger, thirst, and avoidance of pain and sex. Freud was born in Frieberg, Moravia. He lived there until the age of four, and afterwards, he and his family moved to Vienna. Later, he enrolled in the medical school in Vienna, and learned much about Biology, and Psychology. Freud learned much about psychology by watching the development of children and people. With his observations, he developed a theory of how people change, and the ways that people think. Freuds goal was to understand a persons instincts and drives, and to see what motivated people to do certain things. His beliefs were based upon the ID, which were a persons instincts or drives. The ID works with the pleasure principle, which is the demand to take care of things immediately. He believed that the pleasure principle could be so strong that it could force a person to only think about one thing. Freud believed that the ID soon becomes the ego, which relates to an organisms consciousness, and its search for its desires. This is a way of problem solving which is alernately known as the secondary process. The ego works on the reality principle, which is the motivation to take care of ones needs when there is an opportunity. The ego competes with the ID, to keep the organism happy, and occasionally, it achieves its goals in the world. They keep a record of the things to avoid, and strategies to fulfill desires, and soon becomes something known as the superego. There are two parts to the superego: the conscience, and the ego ideal. The conscience is a warning message of punishments and consequences. The ego ideal grows through rewards and positive role models for the child. Some of the instincts that are involved with a humans nature are called the life instinct, and the death instinct. These are the drives, which cause the desire for food, water and other necessary things for survival. Freud had also came up with something called the libido. The libido is the motivational energy for the life instincts. Throught Freuds research, the  term libido was generally associated with the sex drive. The death instinct was the drive that every person has the desire to die as well. Most people did not understand his theory of people wanting to die, but Freud explained that some people saw that death could end all of their hardship and suffering that they encountered in life, because sometimes, life can be troublesome and tiring. Freud believed that for some people, death promised the release from the struggle of life. Freuds theories were very complicated and are not accepted everywhere. It has caused huge debates and contraversy all over the world. Some saw his work as brilliant, while others saw his work as garbage. But psychiatric evaluation is still an experimental field, one in which no one is sure of the therapeutic effectiveness.

Distinction Between Marginal Cost And Incremental Cost Economics Essay

Distinction Between Marginal Cost And Incremental Cost Economics Essay 2) (a) What is the distinction between marginal cost and incremental cost? (b) How are sunk costs treated in managerial decision making? Why (a)Incremental costs are closely related to the concept of marginal cost but with a relatively wider connotation. While marginal cost refers to the change in total cost resulting from producing an additional unit of output, incremental cost refers to total additional cost associated with the decision to expand output or to add a new variety of product etc. It represents the difference between two alternatives. So both are concerned with the change in the total cost where marginal costs refers to the increase or decrease in that results from producing or distributing an additional unit of output and, incremental cost refers to the change in the total output as a result of change in the methods of production or distribution such as addition of a product or territory, use of improved technology or selection of a additional sales channel. (b)A sunk cost is a cost that has been already incurred and cannot be changed or altered by any decision made now or in future. For example , once it is decided to make incremental investment expenditure and funds are allocated and spent, all preceding cost are considered as sunk cost. Such cost are based on prior commitment and cannot be revised or recovered when there is a change in market condition or in business decision makings. The sunk cost are ignored in managerial decision making as they are irrelevant costs which will not affect the decision. Suppose a company paid $50000 to purchase machinery five years back. The machine was used to produce for last few years and now it is obsolete and no longer can be sold .The amount paid is already incurred and cannot be recovered. So the cost of the obsolete machine will not be considered in making managerial decisions. (8) What shape of the LAC curve has been found in many empirical studies? What does this mean for the survival of small firms in the industry? Answer: In the empirical studies the shape of long run average cost curve to be L-shaped with a scale of economics . This means largest firms tend to have cost advantage and the industry tends to become monopoly which is called natural monopoly. The L-shaped shows that per unit producing a product decline initially and then forms L- shaped which cost advantage for longer period resulting to economies of scale due to optimum utilization of recourses. It was believed that economics outstrips diseconomies of scale as firms expand from small size up to a certain size. For the smaller firms in the industry will face diseconomies of scale and no economic profit as there will be lesser amount of recourses and output level.As marginal cost are raising function of rate of out and falling function of the volume. (9) (a) What is the meaning of economies of scope? How do they differ from economies of scale? (b) What do learning curves show? How do they differ from economies of scale? What is the usefulness of learning curves as a managerial tool? What is the reason for rising international trade in inputs and the use of foreign skilled labor? Answer: (a) Economies of scope exist if a firm can produce several product lines at a given output level more cheaply than a combination of separate firms each producing a single product at the same output level. Economies of scope occur where it is cheaper to produce a  wider range of products  rather than specialize in just a handful of products. Expanding the product range to  exploit the value of existing brands  is a good way of exploiting economies of scope. E.g. Amazon expanding into selling toys, sports goods or McDonalds expanding the range of their products to include salads and health foods. Economies of scope is relatively a new approach to business strategy, and is heavily based on the development of high technology. Economies of scale are reductions in average costs imputable to production volume increases. Economies of scope differ from economies of scale in that a firm receives a cost advantage by producing a complementary variety of products with a concentration on a core competency. While economies of scope and scale are often positively correlated and interdependent, strictly speaking the benefits from scope have little to do with the size of output. (b)The aircraft industry was the first to develop the learning curve. The curve that represents the declining trend in the long run average cost of production is called the learning curve. Economies of scale is the are the reduction in average cost as the result of increase in production volume whereas learning curve shows the graphical presentation of the falling average cost curve with respect to increase in production. The learning curve is widely used by business managers and serves as an important managerial tool to foresee and predict the possible trend in long run average cost of production and plan production accordingly. The basic purpose behind the use learning curve is to forecast the unit cost with cumulative increase in output. It is also used to forecast manpower, machinery, material needs of the company, to determine and quote the future competitive price of the product and for planning production. (c) International trade is the exchange of goods, services and capital across the international territory or borders. The use of foreign labor will be more costly due to the reason that borders imposes additional costs such as tariffs , time costs due to border delays and costs associated country difference . A rise in the use of foreign skilled labor will have a direct impact in the international trade resulting in an increase in the imports which may affect the balance of trade. Chapter 7 Problems 2) Given the following total cost schedule of a firm, (a) derive the total fixed cost and total variable cost schedule of the firm, and from them derive the average fixed cost, average variable cost, average total cost, and marginal cost schedules of the firm. Q 0 1 2 3 4 5 TC $30 50 60 81 118 180 Answer: Total cost = Total fixed cost +Total variable cost Marginal cost= Total cost of producing additional unit total cost of producing the previous unit. Average variable cost=Total variable cost/Number of units Average fixed cost=Total fixed cost / Number of units Total average cost=Average fixed cost + Average variable cost Q 0 1 2 3 4 5 TC $30 50 60 81 118 180 TFC $30 30 30 30 30 3 TVC $0 20 30 51 88 150 MC $ 20 10 21 37 62 ATC $ 50 30 27 29.5 36 AFC $ 30 15 10 7.5 6 AVC $ 20 15 17 22 36 3) Airway Express has an evening flight from Los Angeles to New York with an average of 80 passengers and a return flight the next afternoon with an average of 50 passengers. The plan makes no other trip. The charge for the plane remaining in New York overnight is $1,200 and would be $0 in Los Angeles. The airline is considering eliminating the night flight out of Los Angeles and replacing it with a morning flight. The estimated number of passengers is 70 in the morning flight and 50 in the return afternoon flight. The one-way ticket is $200 for any flight. The operating cost of the plane for each flight is $11,000. The fixed costs for the plane are $3000 a day whether it flies or not. 3(a): Please calculate and compare the profit under each flight. 3(b) is asking should Airway Express continue providing the flight between Los Angeles and New York. Even Airway Express decides not to fly, it still have to pay the fixed costs of $3,000 per day. Answer-Given, Cost of the ticket =$200 Operating cost =$11,000 Fixed cost=$3000 Overnight charge=$1,200 Total cost = $11,000+$3,000+$1,200=$15,200 I. Profit for the evening flight from Los Angeles to New York which has average passengers of 80 and cost of the tickets is given as $200 so the average revenue will be $16,000. Profit=Revenue-Cost $16,000-$15,200 $800 Thus, average Profit for the flight is $800 II. Profit for the afternoon flight next day from New York to Los Angeles carrying average passengers of 50, so the average revenue will be $10000 Profit=$10,000 -$15,200 -5,200 The fight is showing average loss of $5,200 III. Profit for the morning flight eliminating with the night flight from Los Angeles to New York carrying an average passengers of 70, the revenue will be $14,000. Cost of operation =fixed cost + operating cost $3,000+$11,000 $14000 Profit=Revenue earned cost incurred $14000 $14000 $0 The flight is nor earning average profit or average loss. IV. Profit for the afternoon flight from New York to Los Angeles with estimated passengers of 50, the revenue will be $10,000 Profit=$10,000-$14000 $4000 The flight is incurring loss of $4000. (b)The Airway express flying evening flight from Los Angeles is earning a profit of $800 with average passengers of 80 and whereas incurring loss of $5,200 in the return trip. In the next case, the airline is making no profit and no loss in the morning flight from Los Angeles to New York, whereas making a loss of $4000 in the return trip . The airline should discontinue providing flights between Los Angeles and New York. Although, it has a fixed cost of $3000 per day which come to $90,000 but the airline will be incurring huge cost of $14000 per day which comes to $42, 00,000 in a month. So it would be a better option to discontinue the operation of the airline from Los Angeles to New York. 4) Electric utility companies usually operate their most modern and efficient equipment continuously (i.e. around the clock) and use their older less efficient equipment only to meet periods of peak demand. 4(a) Will the short-run marginal cost decrease or increase? Answer: Electric Utility firms retire old plants, modernize generating units, and occasionally build new plants, generally after a lengthy period of licensing, regulatory review, and construction. But this not possible in short run as in short run there are fixed factors which cannot be changed in short run as they tend to use their older less efficient equipment to meet the periods of peak demand. In Electric utility companies variable cost consist mainly energy costs. Fixed cost are the cost which cannot be changed with the level of output and in electric utility companies fixed are analogues to capacity cost. As a result the marginal cost in the short run decreases . The reason is the marginal cost curve will turn up when utility will be forced to less efficient during on peak-periods. 11) The Goldberg-Scheinman Publishing Company is publishing a new managerial economics text for which it has estimated the following total fixed and average variable costs: Total fixed costs: Copy editing $10,000 Typesetting $70,000 Selling and promotion $20,000 Total fixed cost $100,000 Average Variable cost: Printing and binding $6 Administrative costs $2 Sales commission $1 Bookstore discounts $7 Authors royalties $4 Average variable cost $20 Project selling price $30 Determine the breakeven output and total sales revenues. (b) Determine the output that would generate a total profit of $60,000 and the total sales revenues at that output level. Answer: (a)At the breakeven point is the point where cost and revenue are equal. Calculations: Breakeven point (sales) =Fixed cost/(Selling price -Variable cost) =$100,000/($30-$20) =$10,000 Breakeven output=$10,000/$30 =333.3 units (b)Sales=Variable cost + fixed cost +profit =$20+$100000+$60000 =$160020 Output level-$160020/$30 =5334 units. Chapter 8 Discussion 2) (a) Under what conditions should a firm continue to produce in the short run if it incurs losses at the best level of output? (b) Are the normal returns on investment included as part of costs or as part of profits in managerial economics? Why Answer: In short run, there is only one variable input (labor) and other inputs (especially capital) are held constant. In other words, the size of labor may increase or decrease but the capital and other inputs will remain fixed. If the Incurs losses at its best level of output then, the firm should try to reduce marginal cost and operate at the level where marginal and average product are positive or increasing. If price falls below average total cost, but remains above average variable cost, the firm will continue to operate in the short run, producing the quantity where  MR  =  MC  doing so minimizes its losses. Whereas If price falls below average variable cost, the firm will shut down in the short run, reducing output to zero. The lowest point on the average variable cost curve is called the shutdown point. (b)Normal returns on investment is also referred as normal profit, is the level of profit required to keep the engaged in a particular activity .The normal rate of return is the Average profit necessary to attract and retain investment .A normal rate of return, or profit, is necessary to induce individuals to invest funds rather than spend them for current consumption. Normal profit is simply a cost for capital as it is no different from the cost of other recourses (materials, energy or labor).As a result , the normal rate of return are included as a part of cost in managerial economics. 8) What happen to the Dollar price that a U.S. (a) importer pays and (b) exporter receives if prices are agreed in Euros and the Dollar then appreciates by 10 percent with respect to the Euro? Answer: The exchange rate is the price of one currency expressed in terms of another. If the importer pays i.e. in dollars to the foreign country and the value of the foreign country currency is devalued the dollar value of promised payment will fall. Whereas if the foreign currency value appreciates the dollar value of the promised payment will rise resulting to a disfavor to the importer country. If prices are agreed in Euros and the Dollar then appreciates by 10 percent with respect to the Euro and the exporters pay, the value of the promised payment will fall. 13) (a) What are the choice-related variables for a firm under monopolistic competition? (b) What is non-price competition? (c) Product Variation? (d) Selling expenses? Answer: (a)Monopolistic competition is defined as market setting in which large number of sellers sells differentiated products. A firm will produce output where MR=MC. The consumers are willing to purchase given amount of product for the given price. The price is determined by demand curve. In short run firms can give positive profits .Positive profits encourages new firms to enter in the market. In the long run due to the entrance of new firms economic profit is zero i.e. P=AC. The main objective of firms under monopolistic competition is profit maximization. (b)Non price competition- The market situation in which firms or the competitors will not lower the price for a fear of price war. So, instead they focus on extensive promotion to highlight distinctive features or benefit of the products. It refers to the competition among firms that choose to distinguish between their products on the basis of attribute, design are non price means e.g. promotions, style etc. It is often used by firms that want to differentiate between virtually identical products. The reason for this is that firms are that operate in monopolistic competition are the price taker as they do not have the influence in changing the price of their goods. Consequently to distinguish themselves they use the strategy of non price such as product innovation and advertisement. (c) Product variations-Product variation is the change in the product properties or features in timing. For example, passenger cars companies bring new models out in the exiting classs e.g. Gulf I, gulf II. Product variation is the modification by changing one or more features of the product to enhance consumer appeal .It will provide a competitive advantage as the company may be able to charge a higher price and enhance loyalty. The variation is made on quality, performance and design. The product variation is, thus, the improvements in the existing product line with new features, appearance, better quality, better performance etc giving a new outlook to it. (d)Selling expenses-Selling expenses are the part of operating expenses along with administrative expenses. Selling expense is the cost incurred to sell or distribute merchandise .Selling expenses includes advertising, sales commission, promotional materials distributed, salaries and fringe benefits of sales personnel , rent of sales office, utilities usage in the sales department. Chapter 8 Problems:- 2) Starting with the market demand and supply functions in Problem 1, determine algebraically the new equilibrium price and quantity if the demand function changes to QD= 12,000- 1,000P or to QD= 8,000- 1,000P. (b) the market supply function changes to QS*= -4,000+1,000P or to QS**= 1,000P. Solution: We know , at the equilibrium point Quantity supplied equals quantity demanded i.e. QD=QS or QS=QD We have, QD=10000-1000P QS= -2000-1000P If demand function changes to QD=12000-1000P or QD=8000-1000 We get , 12000-1000P=2000-1000P -1000P+1000P= -12000P-2000P P = 12000 P= 12000 The new equilibrium price will be $12000 BY substituting the value of P in the demand function and supply function, 12000-1000(12000)=-2000-1000(12000) 12000-120,00,000= -2000-120,00,000 14000 The new equilibrium quantity is 14000 For market supply function, QS= 4000 +1000P or QS=1000P Now, the equation will be 10000-1000P=-4000+1000P -1000P-1000P= -4000- 10000 -P= -14000 P=14000 The equilibrium price is $16000 By substituting the value of P, will be , 10000-1000P=1000P 10000-1000(16000)=-4000+1000(16000) 10000-140,00,000=-4000+140,00,000 6000 The equilibrium quantity will be 6000 7) From Figure 8-4, determine the effect of a 33 percent import tariff on commodity X. * The tariff-inclusive price will be $3(1+.33) = $4. What are the impacts of tariff on domestic consumption, domestic production, imports, and governments tariff revenue? Please show the numbers, for example, the domestic consumption will decrease from 600X to 500X. Solution: The tariff inclusive price will be $3(1+.33)=$4 , the price of the commodity will be $4 and as a result the price of the commodity X will rise from $3 to $4.Tariff is a tax added to the costs imported goods and sometimes to exported goods. The domestic consumption will decrease due to the addition of tariff which will result to an increase in the price of the commodity. As the price of the commodity will increase, the demand for the commodity will decline which will result in a reduction in consumption from 600X to 500X. The domestic production will increase as the producers in the importing country will experience an increase in well-being as a result of tariff from 200X to 300X. The increase in the price of their product on the domestic market increases producer surplus in the industry. The government tariffs revenue will increase as a result of increase in tariffs as governments receives the tariff and also depends on the way how the government spends. 9) Starting from Figure 8-6 showing the short-run price and output determination by the monopolist, suppose that the average fixed costs of the monopolist increase by $5 and that its AVC is $6 less than the new ATC at the best level of output. ATC=AFC+AVC. After AFC increases by $5, ATC will increase by $5 (ATC curve moves up vertically by $5 for every output Q) and MC, D and MR stay the same. The AFC for 500 units is $6, in other words, the TFC is $3,000. Answer: Average total cost-Average fixed cost + Average variable cost Given ATC=$8, a increase in average fixed cost $5 and AVC is $6 less then, After the increase in AFC the ATC will be appreciated by $5 as a result of this ATC curve will move upwards vertically by $5 for every level of output. The best level of out is where MC=MR which is 500 units. AFC for best level of output i.e. 500 is $6 and TFC is $30,000.

Executive Summary of AcuScan :: essays research papers

Executive Summary This is a summary on the current situation at AcuScan concerning the development of the iScanner for use in the retail industry. It will summarize the situation, discuss key points and recommend actions that can be taken to address the issues described. The main problem is that we have failed to improve or maintain market share through the development of new products. Because our overall 40% market share is declining, the company faces declining revenues based on the sales of the iScanner. Despite making tremendous cost-cutting efforts, AcuScan is still in a short-term budget crisis. To regain our position as a market leader, AcuScan must develop the software for using the iScanner in retail industry by the year’s end. Secur-A Corp is reported to be in the process of developing similar software, so we must act quickly. Creating a new product, while at the same time making budget cuts, has created an internal crisis among the staff. The Chief Engineer of Product Software is especially adamant about not being able to get the job done in a way that insures quality by the deadline. I have proposed to Kelly that after looking for ways his staff can work more efficiently, we hire contract workers to do the work that his staff is unable to complete in a timely manner. I also proposed that he and his staff decide which tasks need to be completed by the contract workers. I plan to keep in close touch with Kelly to keep him advised about the work, and I will report to you any further problems. I am rather confident that we will be able to meet our deadline as long as we are responsive of the concerns of department heads and staff and help them with problems as they arise.

Out of School Youth Essay

ASEM Trust Fund for the Asian Financial Crisis Implementation Completion Memorandum Philippine Out-of-School Children and Youth Development (POSCYD) Project ASEM Trust Fund No. 023514 Background and Objectives: In the Philippines, the trend for the past ten years show that for every 10 pupils who enroll in grade school, only 7 graduate. The same ratio is experienced among the high school students. Main reasons cited for dropping-out are mostly poverty related. While basic education is free, many poor families are unable to finance the ancillary school needs of their children. Deprived of completing high school education, the out-of-school youth are further marginalized from acquiring technical skills. As mandated by the law, technical education in the Philippines is a post secondary course. The continuing inability of many poor young people to complete basic education and/or undertake technical education, consign them to the vicious cycle of poverty. Their lack of education constrains their access to better-paying jobs or ability to succeed in entrepreneurial pursuits, all of which require higher degree of literacy. Workers with solid foundation in technical education, have better chances of landing jobs. Amidst increasing incidence of out of school youth exacerbated by political and economic crises, the project seeks to: 1. develop and test mechanisms that will enable children in the age group 7 to 14 to be schooled or remain in school; and 2. pilot the implementation of an employment and entrepreneurship program for youth in the 15 to 24 year age group, integrating technical skills development with life skills development. TF no. 023514 was implemented in conjunction with TF no. 023513, which is bank managed. Achievement of Trust Fund Objectives1 Under TF no. 023514, a total of 16 sub-projects were funded from ASEM World Bank grant to the POSCYD Project. Of the 16, two (2) sub-projects focused on bringing back out-of-school children and youth back to formal in-school and another two (2) through alternative learning system for their basic education. Eleven (11) sub-projects provided integrated technical education and one (1) provided formal in-school basic education and integrated technical education to different sets of beneficiaries. In addition to the 16, a youth summit held in the 16 regions in the country led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development was also funded. Please see attachment for list and briefs of the 16 sub-projects funded under TF023514 1 A total of 566 poor out-of-school children and youth went back to formal primary or secondary school through three (3) sub-projects. They were provided with ancillary school needs such as uniforms, shoes, bags, notebooks and subsidy for school fees, transportation expenses, school projects and field trips. For those who have no access or cannot attend regular classes, alternative learning systems in basic education were provided. The Accreditation and Equivalency (A & E) Program of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education, Department of Education (DepEd), was offered to a total of 753 out-of-school youth who wanted to achieve an equivalency of high school education and another 300 participated in the Angelicum College Home Study Program, a private initiative. A total of 1,290 high school dropouts were enrolled in integrated technical education . All of the technical education courses undertaken by the target beneficiaries are tied up with skills that are in demand by different industries and provide for on-the-job training and employment assistance. Alternative learning system, to resolve deficiencies in basic education and life skills training, to enable the youth to cope with personal and interpersonal conflicts are incorporated in these courses. A â€Å"Skills for Life† Program, specially designed for the Filipino Youth, was developed with assistance from the International Youth Foundation (IYF). Except for one (1), all sub-project proponents sent participants to the teacher’s training course conducted in May and November/December 2001 by a consultant of IYF. In cooperation with the DepEd, training for Non-formal Education A & E Program instructional managers was provided to teachers from 11 integrated technical education sub-project proponents. The Youth Labor Demand Study was completed and now serves as reference material for the POSCYD Project Team and is made available to other interested parties. The 16 sub-projects funded were implemented with counterpart resources from government, business sector and civil society organizations. Concerted resource generation and complementation has, however, not been achieved at the national level and to a limited extent at the local level. The POSCYD Project has an Oversight Board that provides direction and general policies and does the final review of sub-project proposals for funding through its Executive Committee. There is also a Technical Working Committee that recommends to the Oversight Board general directions to take and sub-project proposals for approval. Together with direct beneficiaries of the TF # 23513, the POSCYD Project exceeded its target of 3,000 by 1,872 for a total of 4, 872. With the average trend of about 15% dropout rate, the resulting net direct beneficiaries is 4,119, exceeding the 3,000 target by about 37%. It must be noted, however, that one integrated technical education proponent, the Laguna State Polytechnic College, a government school (funded under TF #23513), offered the curriculum it developed under its POSCYD Project funded subproject, as a subject to high school graduates taking information/communication technology courses. The said sub-project has total of 553 students who finished or are still undertaking the subject. Execution Experience and Results The formal start of the Project was delayed by about eight (8) months due to the need to design a working arrangement, as articulated in the memorandum of agreement, acceptable to both the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Children and Youth Foundation of the Philippines (CYFP). Both institutions, DSWD (representing government) and CYFP (representing civil society) were new to the working and funding arrangements that involved financial and technical support from a multilateral organization like World Bank. Furthermore, there were no precedents to use as references. 2 Most competency building programs in the country for the out-of-school children and youth are addressed to those in especially difficult circumstances or are of above average intelligence and diligence. Furthermore, technical education is a post secondary course in the Philippines. Except for one, it was the first time for all the sub-project proponents in integrated technical education to accept substantial numbers of high school dropouts as trainees. Given the opportunity, most poor out-of-school children and youth, are interested to undertake basic and/or technical education. Among those who took advantage of the initiatives of the POSCYD Project, however, many were forced to dropout again. They are usually the ones who have to help augment family income, regularly perform household chores and/or take care of their younger siblings. Others could simply not afford out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation expenses despite the subsidy that some of the sub-project proponents provided. Among the estimated 15% of the out-of-school children and youth who were assisted to enroll in formal/non-formal basic education and integrated technical education that once more discontinued their studies, poverty is still the most prevalent reason. They are said to come from the poorest of the poor who sometimes go to school without breakfast, would eat candies for lunch and hardly have any transportation money. Money they spend is usually money that is taken away from the daily food needs of their families, thus they opt to work if jobs are available. Among the out-of-school children and youth who were brought back to formal school for their basic education, the dropout rate is 13%. If compared to the estimated national average dropout rate in school year 1997-98 of 7. 42% for grade school and 10. 76% in high school, the experience of the POSCYD Project would seem high. It must, however, be noted that the base used in the computation that resulted to 7% national drop out rate included all students, not just the poor ones. Without the initiative of the POSCYD Project, its total of 870 beneficiaries (TF 23513 & TF 23514) in formal in-school basic education would have remained out-of-school. Home based alternative learning system is an answer to the basic education needs of those not willing or could not go back to formal school for different reasons. About 12% of those who enrolled in the A & E program of Department of Education implemented by a proponent, discontinued their studies. Finishers of this system who pass the Department Education testing can work with the government and/or enroll in specific universities for their college education. Demand for this type of basic education is relatively high in places like Maguindanao and Cotabato City where there is serious peace and order problem and suffering from lack of secondary high schools. The A & E sub-project based in these areas and funded under TF no. 023513, requested to increase their target beneficiaries from 300 to 400. The proponent eventually had a total of 433 A & E enrollees. It is noteworthy to mention that among the 1,156 who finished the A & E Program, 82, pursued higher A & E lessons, 111 attended vocational education, 124 enrolled back in formal school to finish basic education, 38 went on to college and 98 found employment/self-employment. Another alternative learning system in basic education is the Home Study Program of Angelicum College. It follows its regular curricula for elementary and high school, but specially designed for those who could not attend regular classes in a formal school due to poverty, distance from school, need to work or illness. Students study at their own paces and are assisted by any tutor who has had higher education. Some of its clients are young prisoners. Out of the total 300 enrollees from different areas, 19. 7% dropped out. Main reasons cited are inability of tutors to reach participants from far-flung areas, transfer of residences and lost of interest. Among the enrollees in integrated technical education, those prone to dropping out again are the ones in especially difficult circumstances and those undertaking courses with more than six (6) month time frames. If the beneficiaries of the Laguna State Polytechnic College (who catered to high school graduates and offered curricula developed as a subje ct in tertiary education) were to be deducted from the total 3 integrated technical education beneficiaries of the POSCYD Project, the dropout rate would increase from 15% to 17%. This is high compared to the national average, which is said to be below 10%. 2 Inspite of the attempt of several sub-project proponents to provide additional subsidy such as transportation money and meals, dropout rates continue to be high. Since they are considered of age (16 to 24 years old), often, there is pressure from their own selves and/or their parents to earn to help augment family income. Among the poor Filipino families, it is not unusual for the elder children to sacrifice opportunities for higher education to help send their siblings to school or provide for their basic needs. To minimize a repeat of their dropping out of school or alternative learning systems, sub-project proponents intensified their support services by the providing the beneficiaries with support activities such as tutoring/remedial classes, mentoring, counseling and student and parent participation. The sub-project proponents of the Project are all well experienced in the implementation of basic education and/or technical education programs. Most of them, as mentioned earlier in this report, had no previous program for the out-of-school youth or high school undergraduates. The sub-project proponents had to beef up and intensify certain support services which they normally do not offer to their target beneficiaries. It was further observed that many of them tend to lack skills in planning, monitoring and evaluation. Thus, they were provided with technical assistance and training in these functions of project management to improve the effectiveness of their education programs. To further improve their effectiveness, selected proponents were provided with training in the implementation of the NFE A & E Program of the DepEd, Skills for Life Program for Filipino Youth and the first phase of Building Local Tri-Sector Partnerships. To maximize the employment of graduates of technical education graduates, priority in the selection of sub-projects, was given to institutions with existing industry tie -ups or are willing to tie -up courses offered with industries. These tie -ups include not only providing opportunities for apprenticeship and employment of graduates, but in the revision of curricula to suit the specific labor needs of the industries that are in demand. The worsening economic situation is negatively affecting these industry tie -ups. Some companies that used to offer allowances to technical education students undergoing apprenticeship can no longer afford to do so. Many of those who considered employment of technical education graduates have served notice that they cannot absorb new workers. An assessment done by an outside agency showed that despite the bad economic situation in the country, the trend in employment/selfemployment rate of technical education beneficiaries of the POSCYD Project is 70%, compared to the national average of 44% In terms of partnerships, sub-project proponents were able to tap resources from more than 200 different institutions that belong to the government, civil society and/or business sector. Among the contributed resources are technical assistance, training, tools/equipment, materials, use of facilities, community participation and to a limited extent, allowances of students. Of the overall estimated value of counterpart resources infused into the POSCYD Project from the three (3) sectors, about 9% each came from government and business sector, 18% from civil society and 27% from the sub-project proponents. About 39% of the resources of the POSCYD Project came from the ASEM Fund financial grant. Based on this experience, it is obvious that there is a greater need to find more strategies on how to tap resources from government and business sector. The planned building of local tri-sector partnerships did not materialize as projected. The initial attempt to organize regional consortia was rejected by institutions from the three (3) sectors consulted in the five (5) target regions. They advised that with limited resources, the POSCYD Project must focus on 2 Estimated national dropout rate of less than 10% is based on experience of technical schools that offer courses to high school graduates and which do not necessarily focus on poor out-of-school youth. 4 localized tri-sector partnerships. Thus, the Project is now focusing on assisting proponents in the development of local tri-sector partnerships that will revolve around the out-of-school youth and the specific education services offered. Only two (2) of the five (5) planned local tri-sector partnerships were organized. The Philippine Peso steadily devaluated from P38 to P50 per US$1 resulting to shortfall in the usage of the US$780,000 ASEM Grant from World Bank. In Philippine Peso term, however, the Project was able to spend more than the original budget with concurrence from World Bank. Emerging Lessons The experience in the initial pilot phase of the POSCYD Project points to the following emerging lessons in building the competencies of the out-of-school children and youth: 1. Government, civil society and business organizations come from different cultures, but with patience and openness, these three (3) sectors can closely work together to maximize Project benefits. 2. The ordinary poor out-of-school children and youth who are basic education dropouts is a relatively neglected sub-sector. 3. Poor out-of-school children and youth have special learning needs brought about by their deficient cognitive experiences and lack of psycho-social skills that must be understood by all those who will be involved in their education. In addition to meeting their ancillary education expenses, they need to be provided with support services such as mentoring/tutoring, counseling and life skills training. 4. Youth and parent participation have also been determined as important factors in minimizing discontinuance in the education of former out-of-school children and youth. 5. The dropout rate becomes even higher for students in especially difficult circumstances such as extreme poverty, victims of abuse and those coming from dysfunctional families. These types of students would need a lot of financial and intensified support services for them to sustain their education. 6. There is a big demand for alternative learning systems in basic education, specially in areas where there is prevalence of abject poverty (slum areas), critical peace and order situation and/or lack of access to elementary and high schools. Government should encourage, cultivate and recognize the private sector’s initiative to develop innovative learning systems to meet varying demands of the youth. 7. Direct tie -ups with industries for curriculum development/revision, apprenticeship of students and employment of graduates are important to ensuring high employment rates of beneficiaries. 8. One-on-one partnerships with different organizations from government, civil soci ty and business e sector can be successful. However, partnership with government is affected by patronage politics and with business sector, by the economic situation in the country. 9. Building organized local tri-sector partnership can be realized, but difficult to start and even more difficult to maintain. There is a need to identify and work with â€Å"champions† from the target sectors and a point person within the organization who can devote time to crucial activities. 10. Institutions providing competency build ing opportunities to the youth can be good in implementation, but usually need strengthening in terms of project planning, monitoring and evaluation and adaptation of support mechanisms necessary for out-of-school children and youth beneficiaries. Activity Sustainability At the local level, sub-project proponents are being assisted in the building of tri-sector partnerships that will take the lead in generating and complementing resources for out-of-school children and youth concerns in general, and the education services offered to them in particular. It is envisioned that to large 5 extent, organized tri-sector partnerships shall enable the sub-project proponents to maximize generation of resources and not become entirely dependent on funding agencies. It is, however, a reality that generation of local resources can be limited, especially in small cities and towns and poorer provinces. Thus, sub-project proponents must be referred to other funding agencies At the national level, there is a need to promote actively out-of-school children and youth concerns and strategies that will enable them to go back to school or undertake technical education. In this way, more institutions from the different sectors of society will hopefully put more focus in allevia ting the situation. The large number of out-of –school children and youth underscores the need for government, civil society and business sector to jointly remedy the situation. Overall Assessment Over-all, we believe that the project was successful in meeting its objectives. The results show that it has exceeded its physical targets. Long-term benefits are expected to be felt by the recipients and important lessons have been generated which will assist the various stakeholders in designing future interventions for OSY. Data Sheet Trust Fund No: TF23514 Project ID No. : P065823 Project Title: PILOT PROJECT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH Recipient Country: Philippines Project Executed by: Recipient Sector: Education Task Team Leader: Teresa J. Ho Managing Unit: EASHD Grant Approval Date: Grant Amount: (in US$) Grant Agreement Date: Closing Date: April 29, 1999 US$780,000 June 7, 2000 October 31, 2001 FY Disbursements (actuals in US$) (as of reporting date) 2000 Amount US$ 78,000. 00 FY 2001 Amount US$ 521,285. 95 FY 2002 Amount US$ 26,665. 70 6 1. Lists of consultant contracts awarded: 1. 1 Erda Tech Foundation, Inc. 1. 2 Mary Help of Christians – 1st sub-project – 2nd sub-project 1. 3 Phil. NGO Council on Population Health & Welfare 1. 4 Angelicum College, Inc. 1. 5 Ayala Foundation, Inc. 1. 6 Pearl S. Buck International, Inc. 1. 7 Valenzuela City Gov’t. 1. 8 Paranaque Dev’t. Foundation, Inc. 1. 9 Center for Social Research-VISCA 1. 10 National Training School for Boys 1. 11 Salesian Society of St. John Bosco-Borongan 1. 12 Department of Social Welfare & Development (Youth Summit) 1. 13 Taguig Jewelry Producers, Inc 1. 14 Meralco Foundation, Inc. 1. 15 Holy Trinity College 1. 16 Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati( 2nd subproject) 1. 17 Phil. Business for Social Progress-Evaluation of Sub-projects 1. 18 Center for Labor Education, Advocacy, and Research Development Foundation, Inc. 2. Visibility (mention of funding sources in Contracts, publications, seminars, etc. ) -Partners Orientation & Planning workshops -Accreditation & Equivalency -Building Local Tri-Sectoral Partnership -Sub-Project Assessment -Post Project Evaluation 3. Incremental Operating Costs-CYFP Amount: (in US$) 46,796. 91 25,833. 86 22,108. 50 35,484. 06 17,158. 54 42,094. 84 15,917. 21 6,994. 66 31,830. 23 17,313. 81 14,359. 84 16,686. 42 39,153. 70 20,277. 63 36,713. 63 27,462. 82 52,491. 02 16,634. 10 8,867. 61 19,913. 01 Nationality: Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino American Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino 111,963. 36 Filipino _________ TOTAL $ 626,055. 76 1. Compliance with visibility provision (as notified to you upon internal approval of the proposed grant) Proponents of sub-projects were oriented that funding for the POSCYD Project came from ASEM-World Bank. In documents that specify grants received, ASEM-World Bank is always acknowledged as the source of funding. In the POSCYD Project Orientation meetings held in the five (5) target regions and for different interest groups, ASEM was always mentioned as the source of the World Bank Grant for the Project. The same holds true for workshops conducted. In the mid-term Project assessment review attended by the President Gloria MacapagalArroyo and leaders from government, civil society and business sector, the affair was labeled as the POSCYD Project ASEM Grant Mid-Term Review. The ASEM Grant to the POSCYD Project is always acknowledged in all reports prepared. 7 BRIEF PROFILES OF ASSISTED PROJECTS under the ASEM $780,000. 00 GRANT Formal Basic Education Project Title and Brief Basic Education Project for Out of School Children and Youth or Children and Youth at Risk of Dropping Out of School (Subic, Zambales and San Jose del Monte Bulacan – Region 3) A replication of the on-going sponsorship project in Ormoc City, aimed at bringing back out-of-school children and youth to formal school in elementary and high school. The project shoulders the basic education of 300 OSCY and CYRDOS. Proponent’s Profile Pearl S. Buck International, Inc. Pearl S. Buck International was founded in 1968 by the late Nobel and Pulitzer-prize winning author Pearl S. Buck. It has set up various offices around the country including one in Ormoc City. Among PSBI’s educational activities include: early childhood care and development, enhancing families ability to manage and sustain their children’s education, school attendance support, and a study now pay later assistance to vocational and college students. It also offers livelihood skills training, micro-credit assistance and savings mobilization, and job placement services. Paranaque Development Foundation, Inc. Paranaque Development Foundation, Inc. (PDFI) was organized and registered in the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 28, 1968. The organization is focused on the organization of grassroots groups as well as the integration and synchronization of the various social service organizations. PDFI aims to mobilize the different sectors in creating a mutually loving, caring, and sharing community that will provide the poor the capabilities to be self-reliant. Inputs of Partners Rustan Corp. and Little Caesar’s Corp. have pledged sponsorship assistance for beneficiaries who intend to pursue vocational courses. These companies have also promised to provide financial support for the life skills training of the learners. Integrated Project for Marginalized OSCY (Paranaque City – NCR) A formal education project aimed at bringing back out-of-school children and youth to formal school in elementary and high school. The project sponsors the basic education of 300 Paranaque-based OSCY . Parent volunteers have committed to assist PDFI in recruiting beneficiaries, assessing project implementation, and monitoring of project accomplishments. Save the Children – US and Terre des Hommes have expressed willingness to fund the training on peer counseling and life skills, and family/community support respectively. The local barangay council has been tapped to provide assistance to the health seminars. The Japanese Embassy has committed to provide sewing machines and other equipment for the training of adult members of the trainees’ families. The Rotary Club of Paranaque shall be tapped to fund the training. Accreditation and Equivalency (A & E) – ALS Non-Formal Education – Accreditation and Equivalency for the Out of School Youth (Bacoor, Cavite – Region 4) A facilitation and conduct of the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Program of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education–Department of Education, Culture and Sports, aimed at preparing OSCY in Bacoor, Cavite in attaining equivalency for their educational level. The project facilitates the A&E education of 700 OSCY clients. Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc. PNGOC is a registered private voluntary organization founded in 1987 by 17 national and local population NGOs. The organization was envisioned to create self-reliant and socially responsible Filipino families. PNGOC embraces five program thrusts namely: networking, advocacy, organizational development, human resource development, and provision of technical and financial assistance to small NGOs in the countryside. The DECS-BNFE provided the framework of the Non-Formal Education – Accreditation and Equivalency and facilitated the training of the PNGOC instructional managers (IMs). The local government of Bacoor, Cavite provided the learning centers being utilized by the learners as well as developed and disseminated the advocacy information on the project. 8 Home Study Program – ALS The Home Study Program (Palawan, Leyte and Occidental Mindoro) A formal alternative learning system that shall enable OSY to graduate from elementary and high school with an Angelicum Diploma without hav ing to attend school every day —they can attend to schoolwork within their homes. Selflearning modules based on a formal education curriculum are provided the learners. The project assists 300 OSCY in pursuing their basic education through formal ALS. Angelicum College Angelicum College was founded on July 5, 1972 as an alternative school that veers away from the traditional educational system. Through the efforts of Fr. Rogelio Alarcon, proponent of the Home Study Program, the school was able to solicit funding from former President Joseph Estrada’s Social Fund. Consequently, the school was able to offer the Program, for free, to out of school youth. From July to August 2000, the total OSY enrolled in the Program has reached about 2000 in 50 different areas throughout the country. Three partner implementors, Runggiyan Foundation (Leyte), Plan International (Mindoro), and Holy Trinity College (Palawan) are managing and coordinating the operations of the Home Study Program in their respective areas. With support from the LGUs, Sangguniang Kabataan, and community elders, the partner implementors identified, recruited, screened, and selected the OSY beneficiaries, and identified, recruited and deployed the volunteer coordinators and volunteer tutors. The LGUs pledged to assist the partner implementors follow up and monitor the Volunteers. Technical Education PALIHAN III: Technical and Vocational Skills Training for OSYs (Metro Manila, NCR) A technical skills training and placement for urban poor out-of-school youth in Metro Manila. â€Å"Palihan† means anvil or mould. Hence, it embodies the ideal of molding the OSY to become productive and responsible citizens. Technical courses offered include: Food Processing, Food Service, Leather Craft, Cons truction Work, and Glass Etching. The project intends to assist the non-formal technical education of 200 OSY. Empowering Disadvantaged Women in Pampanga (Mabalacat, Pampanga, Region 3) A technical skills training in industrial electronics for sexually abused and prostituted young women in the province of Pampanga and their placement in electronics firms at the special economic zone. The project purposes to benefit 80 female OSY who are enrolled in formal technical education. ERDA TECH Foundation ERDA TECH Foundation, established in 1996, is a non-stock, not for profit foundation dedicated to assisting children and youth age 12 to 18 years old who are disadvantaged by poverty. The Foundation’s main goal is to get children and youth, from the streets and from poor communities, who are interested in pursuing a secondary education with a vocational program that will train and nurture them into becoming productive members of society — meaning, being able to earn a living, becoming physically and emotionally stable and prepared to start a decent family life. Mary Help of Christians-Technology Center for Women The Mary Help of Christians – Technology Center for Women was established in 1993 to provide a home and school for disadvantaged young women where they can learn various employable technical skills. In hopes of molding trainees to become good and productive Christians, the Center has integrated the technical education course with values education, ethics and Christian Living. The Center has a 100% placement rate and has since graduated 120 young women who are now regular employees in various companies. Jewelry Skills Training and Placement Project for OSY in Taguig (Taguig, National Capital Region) Taguig Jewelry Producers’ Cooperative The TJPC is the pioneering group of skilled jewelry makers in Metro Manila, having been TJPC was assisted by TESDA, which arranged for the use of the training venue and other training facilities. Congessional funds shall help cover the administrative cost of the The technical education of the trainees is a collaborative effort between ERDA TECH and the Marikina Institute of Science and Technology (MIST). MIST provided training facilities and equipment needed for the training. Jollibee Foods Corp. has committed to accept the trainees for the in-plant training as well as their job placement. Enzio, Corp. has also agreed to employ the graduates of the training course. Spencer & Co. shall help shoulder the transportation and meal allowances of the trainees in the in-plant training. As part of the business sector’s contribution to the project, the post-training employment of the young women will be at the follow ing semicon companies: American Power Conversion, National Electronic Corporation, Amertron, Inc. , Sanyo Semiconductors, Luen Thai, and Computer Data Center, Inc. The Municipal Mayor of Mabalacat town in Pampanga provided the transport allowances of the trainees. 9 A technical skills training in jewelry making for OSY in Taguig and their placement in jewelry firms in Metro Manila. For its initial batch, the project aims to graduate 35 OSY trainees in jewelry making. registered as a cooperative in July 1994. TJPC is composed of 28 members/ shareholders and boasts of a strong network of 3,337 cooperatives in the Metro Manila area where it can draw support in terms of dealership or marketing of jewelry products.