The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) virtually launched the “Building an Entrepreneurial Society of Tomorrow Bootcamp: Accept, Adapt, and Act” (BEST Bootcamp: 3A) Program, which will provide business mentoring and entrepreneurial training for displaced or retrenched workers because of the pandemic and those who want to start their own business.  

“This entrepreneurship program is part of DTI’s 7Ms Framework for Successful Entrepreneurship, which covers Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Market, Money, Machines, and Models of Negosyo. The 7Ms are essential components for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development, and will provide our people the needed entrepreneurial skills and knowledge,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.  

The trade chief added, “All participants of the program will gain knowledge on the best practices for a successful entrepreneurship journey, coming from the experiences of our mentors and experts who have specialized in their fields of business.”  

The 3A program conducts an integrated approach using lectures, case studies, business pitching workshop, mentoring, recital, and drillmaster sessions. It is designed specifically for employees of MSMEs, private school teachers, and other retrenched workers affected during this pandemic period. Also, the program targets aspiring entrepreneurs with an identified passion or hobby that they want to turn into a profitable venture.  

Two hundred to five hundred participant-observers were invited to attend the program through a Facebook livestream on a dedicated Facebook group for displaced workers while 75-80 participants, who will be called scholars, will be chosen to undergo the entire mentoring and training program. After the scholars complete the program, they will be provided with livelihood kits by DTI’s Regional Operations Group (ROG). 

The program is organized by DTI’s ROG Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona and PTTC Executive Director Nelly Dillera, in partnership with lead entrepreneurship trainers and mentors led by Dean Francisco Lapid and Association of the Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) President Jorge Wieneke. 

“The resilient nature of our people has led to a boom of entrepreneurship. Online businesses registered reached 86,000 in December from 1,700 in March. And this is a clear indication of the adaptability of Filipinos in challenging times,” Sec. Lopez explained.  

“Despite these challenges posed by COVID-19, our MSMEs continue on with adopting different business models in the face of adversity. That’s why DTI’s focus and commitment remain on supporting our MSMEs by enhancing their resilience as they recover and rebuild,” he added.  

While the 3A Program is focused on entrepreneurial development and planning in early-stage ventures, the BEST Bootcamp also offers the Resilience, Recovery, and Rebuild (3R) Program, which focuses on entrepreneurial re-alignment, pivots, and balanced planning in running existing business ventures. 

To know more about the BEST Bootcamp, you may email BEST@pttc.gov.ph.

Source: DTI