By Allen Estabillo/Philippine News Agency
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) has linked up with two companies in the region for the implementation of its industry-based training program.
Rafael Abrogar II, TESDA-12 regional director, said Thursday they forged partnerships with shopping mall chain KCC Malls and its sister company Biotech Farms Inc. for the rollout later this year of various technical-vocational training programs.
He said the two companies, through their Chief Executive Officer Rey Chiang, agreed to open their facilities for the training and assessment of beneficiaries of TESDA’s free skills training.
“They will mainly establish an industry-based technical training and assessment center to help develop quality workers for the region,” he said in a statement.
Abrogar said their partnership with KCC and Biotech is in line with TESDA’s thrust, as set by Director General Secretary Isidro Lapeňa, to provide trainings that will ensure work and livelihood opportunities for the beneficiaries.
KCC Malls, which is operated by KCC Property Holdings Inc., has branches in this city and nearby Koronadal City in South Cotabato.
Biotech Farms operates swine farms, poultry layer farm and an agro-industrial complex in Tantangan and Banga towns in South Cotabato.
Considered as among the biggest agricultural companies in the area, Biotech has a large-scale feed mill, rice mill, biogas and biomass facilities.
Chiang said they consider the partnership with TESDA as another avenue for their efforts to help spur development and improve the lives of residents in the region.
“The measure of a company’s success is not only about its revenue but also with the improvement of the lives of people in the community,” he said.
Chiang said the expansion of KCC Malls and Biotech Farms, which are under the KCC Group of Companies, is currently ongoing and it means that they also need to hire quality skilled workers in the process.
He said they will need agri-machine operators, fabricator, welders, mechanics, drivers, supermarket workers, pipe fitters, heavy equipment operators, among others.
Chiang said they will hire graduates of the upcoming training center to fill the manpower needs of their companies.
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