A fresh wave of excitement filled the training grounds of the Sky Dream Skills Training Academy as the second cohort of young trainees was officially welcomed at a colorful and inspiring orientation ceremony. Held in collaboration with the International Youth Fellowship (IYF), the event marked the start of a two-month transformative journey for dozens of hopeful youth eager to learn, grow, and redefine their futures.
The Academy, which focuses on holistic youth empowerment, has become a beacon of opportunity for young people seeking both practical vocational skills and personal development. Following the remarkable success of its inaugural batch, the Academy is building momentum, this time with even more structure, vision, and support.
In attendance at the ceremony were facilitators, community leaders, program alumni, and, most notably, Dr. David Oh, the Country Director of IYF and Sky Dream. He delivered an impassioned keynote address that underscored the heart of the Academy’s mission.
“This is not just about gaining skills,” Dr. Oh told the audience. “Our goal is to help these young people develop the right mindset, discipline, and vision for their lives. When the mind changes, everything changes. That is the foundation of true success.”
A New Approach to Youth Empowerment
At the core of Sky Dream’s training program is its unique dual-focus model. Trainees will spend the next two months receiving hands-on instruction in a variety of marketable trades and disciplines. These include the manufacturing of household chemicals, ICT and graphic design, floral decoration, baking and pastries, electrical installation, fashion design, and foreign language training — particularly Korean and French.
Each module is led by experienced professionals, with an emphasis on not just mastering a skill, but learning how to turn that skill into a source of income or enterprise.
But beyond the technical, the program incorporates something even more transformative — Mind Education, a signature curriculum developed by IYF. Through these sessions, students are taught principles of self-awareness, emotional resilience, effective communication, and moral leadership. The program encourages reflection, personal responsibility, and the belief that change begins within.
“Many of the challenges young people face today are rooted in the mind — low self-esteem, lack of direction, hopelessness,” Dr. Oh explained. “Through this program, we help them discover that their value is not based on circumstance, but on the strength of their heart.”
Hope, Vision, and Practical Dreams
For many of the new trainees, this opportunity represents a turning point — a chance to step away from uncertainty and into purpose. Some came with a clear goal in mind; others came seeking direction. Either way, the Academy promises to give them both the skills and the self-belief to move forward.
“I joined to learn graphic design,” said Ruth, a newly enrolled trainee. “But I can already tell I’m going to grow in ways I didn’t expect. The way the facilitators speak, the atmosphere here — it’s different. It’s not just about computers. It’s about discovering who you really are.”
Another student, Daniel, who chose the pastries and baking module, shared his vision:
“I want to start a baking business someday. I’ve always loved making snacks, but I didn’t know how to turn that into something professional. This training is giving me the knowledge, but also the confidence to take myself seriously.”
The diversity of the program offerings is intentional. Whether it’s learning how to wire a house, speak a foreign language, or decorate a wedding venue with flowers, the Academy recognizes that each skill can be a tool for independence and economic empowerment.
A Ripple Effect Beyond the Classroom
While each trainee’s journey is deeply personal, the vision of the Sky Dream–IYF partnership extends beyond the individual. The organizers believe that empowered youth will carry the impact into their families, peer circles, and communities.
“We’re not just raising skilled workers,” said the Program Coordinator. “We’re raising responsible leaders, role models, and changemakers. Each of these young people is going to leave here with the ability to inspire others.”
That ripple effect was already seen in the testimonies shared by graduates of the first cohort, some of whom attended the ceremony to motivate the new batch. One alumna, now running her own floral decoration business, spoke about how her mindset shifted during the training.
“Before Sky Dream, I didn’t believe I had anything special to offer. But through Mind Education and skill training, I learned that my thoughts were my biggest obstacle. Once that changed, everything else followed.”
A Mission for the Future
Sky Dream and IYF’s collaboration represents a shared vision — one that sees young people not as problems to solve, but as powerful assets to cultivate. By combining skill acquisition with mindset reformation, the program addresses both the economic and emotional gaps facing many youth today.
The energy at the orientation was palpable — not just from the music, speeches, and group activities, but from the sense of hope that filled the room. Parents, community stakeholders, and even alumni beamed with pride as they saw the enthusiasm of the new batch.
As the event concluded with words of encouragement, photos, and light refreshments, the trainees left with a clearer sense of what lies ahead. For some, it’s the dream of owning a business. For others, it’s becoming a leader in their community. But for all, it’s the beginning of a journey toward purpose.
“These trainees are the seeds of change,” Dr. David Oh said in his closing remarks. “We believe they will not only transform their own lives but go on to touch the lives of many others. And that is how we build a better society — one mind at a time.”
As the second batch officially begins their journey, the Sky Dream Skills Training Academy — with the unwavering support of IYF — stands firm in its mission to raise a generation of bold, skilled, and purpose-driven youth ready to transform their world.
