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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – In a bid to empower the workforce and meet industry demands, the Provincial Government of La Union, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region 1, held a Training Induction Program for the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) on Jan. 7 at the La Union Convention Center here.
The event, which gathered over 600 participants—including technical vocational (tech-voc) students, instructors, and heads of tech-voc institutions in the province – underscored the province’s commitment to equipping its people with skills aligned with labor market needs.
A step towards inclusive development
TESDA Region 1 Director Joel Pilotin emphasized the program’s significance in enhancing workforce capabilities.
“Through the TWSP, we provide more than just training—we offer hope and a pathway to better lives. These skills are critical to helping individuals secure meaningful employment and contribute to the country’s economic growth,” Pilotin said.
Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David shared the provincial government’s vision of empowering individuals to drive local development.
“This partnership with TESDA is a reflection of our commitment to ensure that no one is left behind. By investing in skills development, we are building a workforce that can respond to the needs of the modern economy while contributing to the progress of La Union,” Gov. Ortega-David explained.
Public sector collaboration
Both TESDA and the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) play crucial roles in ensuring the success of the TWSP.
TESDA is responsible for designing and implementing the training programs, providing qualified trainers, and ensuring that facilities and equipment are available.
It also awards a NC to successful graduates. Meanwhile, the PGLU has allocated P11 million to fund the scholarships, enabling more residents to access the program.
The provincial government also facilitates scholar recruitment, supports orientation activities, and works closely with TESDA to align training programs with the workforce needs of La Union.
Transforming lives through education
The Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is a government initiative designed to enhance the skills of individuals and meet labor market demands. It focuses on providing technical-vocational education and training (TVET) to equip participants with industry-relevant competencies.
Under the TWSP program, participants enjoy a range of benefits which include full tuition fee coverage for their chosen courses, daily training allowances to support their attendance, and a National Certification (NC) upon completion, which is widely recognized by industries across the country.
The program also covers training-related expenses, such as materials and tools required for the courses.
The training programs offered under TWSP are diverse and aligned with local and national labor market needs.
Among the available courses are dressmaking, vulcanizing, hairdressing, manicure and pedicure, driving, and barbering. The duration of these programs vary, with courses like driving lasting two months and barbering extending to six months.
For the current batch of scholars, training is set to begin this month, immediately following their orientation and onboarding process.
The program focused on familiarizing students with training guidelines, policies, and expectations to ensure a productive learning journey.
It also highlighted the role of technical-vocational education in addressing skills gaps and fostering employability.
One of the beneficiaries, Maria Gonzales, a single mother enrolled in the program, expressed that the said opportunity means everything to her family.
“Through this training, I am hopeful that I can secure a stable job and provide a better future for my children,” Gonzales stated.
Moving forward
Participants were encouraged to fully utilize the opportunities offered by TWSP to gain industry-relevant competencies, enhance their employability, and contribute to the local economy.
The event also underscored the collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders in driving inclusive growth.
This collaborative effort aims to empower participants with skills and knowledge that will help them secure meaningful employment, contribute to local economic development, and address the region’s labor market demands.
The TWSP reflects La Union’s and TESDA’s shared mission of empowering communities through accessible and quality education, paving the way for a stronger, more skilled workforce ready to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world. (AMB/CCMT/KJCR, PIA La Union)
