THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental is urging students to spend their summer vacation with activities that can develop their entrepreneurial skills.
Lea Gonzales, provincial director of DTI-Negros Occidental, on Friday, March 31, said the two-month break from classes can be best spent with worthwhile activities, including those that promote business awareness among students.
“Younger generation should open their minds that employment is not the only means to earn, they can also engage in business,” Gonzales said, adding that exposing students to entrepreneurial activities will prepare them for possible bigger business ventures.
The DTI has been encouraging the youth to practice entrepreneurship at an early age to enhance their skills while helping augment their family’s livelihood.
In Negros Occidental, the DTI has conducted consumer education seminars in various schools last year to increase awareness among students on their rights and welfare as consumers.
Gonzales said they are trying to incorporate in these activities the promotion of entrepreneurship as an endeavor even youngsters can undertake.
Aside from summer workshops and classes organized by private institutions and groups, seminars conducted by the DTI every other Tuesday can also be attended by students, Gonzales said.
The free-training program, intended mainly for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), is aimed at equipping entrepreneurs to become more competitive.
The Negosyo Center lodged at the DTI Provincial Office in Bacolod City hosts the said trainings.
“Student who are potential entrepreneurs will help improve the industry by increasing the number of businesses,” Gonzales said, stressing that “more enterprises create more employment opportunities that contribute to a vibrant local economy.”
