Giving talented PWDs a shot at freelance IT jobs

Freelancer.com and Project W.I.R.E.D. (Work Innovation through Resource Enabled Development) are teaming up to give IT-literate persons with disabilities (PWD) an avenue on which to ply their trade and, eventually, start their own businesses.

Under an agreement to be signed April 11, the companies will be training talented PWDs to help them take on a freelance career in their field of expertise or interest. While they will not help PWDs find jobs, they are set to educate them on the basics of freelancing and how they may connect with employers online.

"They're already IT literate, but most didn't know there are online freelancing opportunities," Evan Tan, Freelancer.com regional director for Southeast Asia, said in a text message to GMA News Online Friday.

He said PWDs can help boost productivity in start-ups and small companies – frequent customers of freelancers. Details of the program's budget has yet to be finalized, but Tan said both companies will explore more options to help PWDs get their day in the the world of freelance careers.

"As of now, this partnership is exclusive to both  Freelancer.com and Project W.I.R.E.D., but since we plan to increase PWDs' competencies, we will explore getting more educational partners for this endeavor," said Tan.

In a separate statement Freelancer.com issued Friday, Rex Bernardo, head of  Project W.I.R.E.D., said, "IT-literate PWDs can make a strong contribution in an online workforce and we’d like for them to maximize their potential by exploring the opportunities waiting for them."

Project W.I.R.E.D. aims to train PWDs through e-learning, enabling them to work as virtual assistants and online freelancers. – VS, GMA News