The TechReady project was launched on December 8, 2008. It's main goal is to empower the youth through work. The proponents, who are members of the Working Youth Association of Davao City, have experienced earning a significant amount through the internet and have decided to share this knowledge with others through the TechReady project.

Through the TechReady project, the first incubation center (Technology Microbusiness Incubation Center or TMBIC) was set-up. It consists of a two floor office located in a strategic location, 18 computer units, as well as office equipment. On weekdays it serves as a business center where the youth can avail of work such as data entry, web design, graphics design, Search Engine Optimization, transcription, virtual assistant, blogging, and other similar services. On Saturdays and Sundays, it serves as a training center for work-from-home opportunities that the youth can avail of. The training fees are subsidized by the Department of Labor and Employment and Local Government Units to encourage the youth to join the program. The subsidies are a great help to interested youth. Of the training fee of 2,500, 1,000 is subsidized by the Department of Labor and Employment, and 1,000 is to be subsidized by Local Government Units. Only 500 is paid by the youth for the 3 months of training.

Although the project is focused on the youth—working students, out of school youth, and other disadvantaged youth—the TechReady training program is open to all interested. We have found that many are interested in the training program. Work-at-home moms and dads, and employees from all sectors are interested in earning additional income through the internet.

The TechReady project can be viewed at www.Tech-Ready.org. It's supporting website for the work-from-home opportunities can be viewed at www.WorkFromHomePhilippines.com. Both websites are maintained and managed by the current TechReady staff.

The assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment and its staff was very helpful—from looking for a suitable site for the training and business center, to establishing contacts with various organizations willing to assist in the projects, to providing suggestions in how to better implement the project plan.

Overall, we are very grateful for the assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment Region XI, the very supportive regional director Jallilo de la Torre, and the DOLE staff, and we are thankful for the opportunity provided through the Youth Entrepreneurship Support of DOLE. Through this program, we have felt the significance of the government's support for the country and its people.

Thank you, Department of Labor and Employment, Region XI.