Twenty women in Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, have completed Elevate Aida, a digital livelihoods program designed to equip women with skills for remote work and participation in the digital economy.
The program, a joint initiative of the Aboitiz Foundation and Connected Women, provides training in artificial intelligence data annotation and practical digital tools such as Google Sheets.
Among the graduates is Kimberly Arevalo, who is set to join an upcoming LiDAR project with Connected Women after completing the training. She said the program opened a possible career path that allows her to work while remaining at home and helping care for her younger brother.
The training is designed to address barriers that can limit access to traditional employment, including location, caregiving responsibilities and limited work experience.
Another graduate, Paulyn Navia, has taken on a new role as an assistant trainer for Connected Women. After completing Elevate Aida herself, Navia returned to help the latest batch develop skills in self-discovery, personal branding and preparation for remote work.
The program’s impact is also expanding beyond a single training batch. According to the Aboitiz Foundation, more than 3,000 women had graduated from Elevate Aida nationwide as of April.
The foundation has also expanded its digital livelihood efforts through Aida Plus, which offers additional training pathways in areas such as virtual assistance, cloud accounting, data analytics and digital illustration while connecting participants with potential employment opportunities.
Another batch of women in Siargao is expected to begin training in October, continuing efforts to bring digital skills and work opportunities closer to communities outside major urban centers.
