VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – The provincial government of Ilocos Sur, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), is now accepting applications for free skills training courses and assessments.
The endeavor aims to enhance the skills of individuals across the province, providing opportunities for personal and professional growth.
In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Ilocos Sur on Dec. 16, Mary Madeleine Salvador, Manager of the provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO), explained that the initiative aligns with the provincial government of Ilocos Sur’s 10-Point ONE Ilocos Sur Agenda on education and learning.
The said initiative is implemented through TESDA’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), offering a variety of training courses in multiple fields.
Salvador said the TESDA will offer 17 different courses for interested individuals to choose from, namely:
- Trainers Methodology Level I (Trainer/Assessor);
- Housekeeping NC Il;
- Caregiving NC II (Superseded);
- Events Management Services NC III;
- Barangay Health Services NC II;
- Computer Systems Servicing NC II;
- Visual Graphic Design NC III;
- Agricultural Crops Production NC III;
- Organic Agriculture Production NC II;
- Animal Production (Swine) NC II;
- Slaughtering Operations (Swine) NC II;
- Bookkeeping NC III;
- Tile Setting NC II;
- Carpentry NC II;
- Masonry NC Il;
- Driving NC II; and
- Heavy Equipment Operation (Wheel Loader) NC II.
“This is open to all interested individuals willing to undergo skills training. There is no tuition fee, and participants will receive a free National Certificates (NC) assessment after completing the training. They will also receive P160 as an allowance for each training day,” Salvador said.
The training courses are open to all Filipino citizens who are at least 18 years old, are not currently enrolled in any TESDA program, and are willing to undergo training.
To apply, interested individuals must submit a valid ID and a passport-sized photo. Applications are open to all sectors, including persons with disabilities (PWDs), former rebels, and senior citizens, provided they are committed to completing the training.
The said courses will be conducted at partner technical vocational institutions affiliated with the TESDA, including the:
- Ilocos Sur Community College and New Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail Organic Farming Advocates, Inc. in Bantay town;
- Eskwela Delos Mataderos, APEX Academy Corporation, Royal Maharlika Wellness and Training Center, Inc., and Data Center College of the Philippines in Vigan City;
- Provincial Training Center in Candon City;
- Advancement in Career and Excellence Training Center, Inc. in Caoayan town;
- Ilocos Bright Institute, Inc. in Santa Cruz town;
- La Escuela De Ylocos Training Institute, Inc.; and
- Maxima Technical and Skills Training Institute, Inc. in Santiago town.
TESDA Ilocos Sur Supervising TESD Specialist Wendell Botacion meanwhile said that the government’s policy aims to help Filipinos become multi-skilled, as having multiple skills can open more opportunities.
“Individuals interested in this training program should focus on one training course at a time and are not permitted to take the same course more than once,” Botacion said.
As of Dec. 16, a total of 196 individuals have enrolled since the application period began on Dec. 7. The provincial government aims to enroll a total of 444 trainees by the end of December, with each course offering 20 to 50 slots.
“We have two courses that are already closed for application: Caregiving NC II (Superseded) and Animal Production (Swine) NC II, as training can start as soon as slots are full,” Salvador added.
She encouraged all interested individuals to apply soon to take advantage of the free training, which could help them enhance their skills and increase their chances of finding employment.
Applicants can submit their documents at the PESO office on the second floor of the Provincial Capitol in Vigan City. For more information, they may contact John Eric Pilot at 09537211068.
For those who missed out on the now-closed courses, TESDA has assured that other programs with different funding sources are available, and training centers are still open to help. (CCMT/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
