Grab Philippines, Southeast Asia’s leading transport app, recently conducted various livelihood skills trainings to over 100 housewives of GrabTaxi and GrabCar drivers, helping them better manage small enterprises and augment overall income productivity of their families.

The skills development program was held at the Negoskwela Livelihood Training Facility in Quezon City, gathering women from different parts of Metro Manila to undergo seminars on Family Planning and Financial Literacy and other livelihood programs. Khriz Lim, Grab Philippine’s Country Marketing Head, said the initiative was an expansion of Grab’s Driver Academy, a road education program that was initially designed to up-skill Grab drivers on customer service and safety driving.

“We want to make sure that we’re helping not just the drivers but also their families, as such the company has expanded its mission to include the drivers’ own partners, their wives. Initiatives like these are very valuable as they provide long-term benefits to the livelihood of the family. More than capacity building, the program is meant to underscore women’s primary contributions to the growth of the family,” said Lim.

Among others, the trainings taught participants with the following courses: 1) Pinoy Street Food, 2) Lutuing Pinoy para sa Karinderya, 3) Merienda pang Pinoy, 4) Foot and Hand Spa with Manicure and Pedicure, 5) Gift Wrapping and, 6) Recycled Bags and Other Items.

The initiative also included developing financial management capabilities of housewives, with short courses on building a solid financial foundation and practical money management strategies.

“It’s always smart to include any livelihood program with financial literacy. As we promote the growth of our partners’ livelihoods, we must also help them in developing financial skills like budgeting and saving so that they can stand on their own and take care of their investments, if ever they start small businesses,” said Lim.

According to Lim, the seminar will come full circle if these women are given the opportunity to learn through theory and practice. As such, Lim shared that after the trainings, participants will be able to apply key learning when they participate as independent business entrepreneurs in an upcoming Christmas Noel Bazaar from November 18-30 at the World Trade Center in Manila.