Sparks of Skills: Learning to Build, Building to Live

In a world where the future can feel uncertain and opportunities scarce, a single spark can make all the difference. It only takes one moment of belief, one hand extended in support, and one skill learned to begin changing a life. The Sparks of Skills program—an initiative led by the Rotary Club of San Fernando, La Union (RCSFLU) in partnership with TESDA and the PDG Rudy Nisce Foundation—embodies this truth. It is more than a training program; it is a movement of hope, empowerment, and lasting change.

At its heart, Sparks of Skills is about giving people the tools to rise. With each session in welding and technical training, participants—many of whom come from underserved sectors such as the Alternative Learning System—are not taught how to work with metal. They are shown how to rebuild their confidence, reimagine their future, and reshape their communities. From the first batch of 24 learners in 2023 for Year 1 and 18 graduates in 2024 for Year 2, the program has proven that access to education and skill-building can unlock doors to employment, entrepreneurship, and dignity.

But the real beauty of Sparks of Skills lies in the stories behind the certifications. These are tales of young people and adults alike who once doubted their worth, who once believed that opportunities were only for the privileged. Through this program, they found mentors in professionals like Rotarian Jimmy Vargas, a  globally accredited trainer who poured his time and expertise into ensuring that each trainee walked away not just with knowledge, but with confidence. They found champions in organizations that believed their lives were worth investing in. They found pride in their hard-earned National Certificates and in the welding machines awarded to outstanding performers—not just tools, but symbols of faith in their potential.

This is the power of partnerships rooted in purpose. When civic organizations, government agencies, and local communities unite with a shared goal of empowering others, miracles happen. Dreams that once seemed unreachable become realistic plans. Generational cycles of poverty and limitation begin to break.

As we celebrate the achievements of the Sparks of Skills graduates, we are reminded that real change is not about giving momentary aid. It is about creating lifelong impact. Just as metal transforms under intense heat, so too do people transform when met with support, opportunity, and belief.

Let this be our call to action: Let us continue lighting sparks in places that feel forgotten. Let us support initiatives that equip individuals not just with skills, but with purpose. Whether as educators, leaders, volunteers, or advocates—each of us has the power to strike a spark that could ignite a lifetime of change.

Because when you teach someone a skill, you don’t just prepare them for a job—you equip them for life.

Written and Submitted by: Rtn. Lexus Jed A. Castañeda