By Zorayda Tecson/PNA
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 3 (Central Luzon) is encouraging high school graduates to avail of the various free constructed-related training courses it is offering.
TESDA-3 Director Dante Navarro cited the need for more manpower in the construction industry due to the massive infrastructure projects in Central Luzon with the implementation of the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration.
Navarro said it is high time for residents in the region to take advantage of the job opportunities available in the construction industry.
“With the implementation of the”Build, Build, Build” program, there is a need for more workers in the construction industry. Thus, we are encouraging them, especially those high school graduates, to try the free construction-related skills training courses being offered by our agency,” he said.
Navarro noted that the bulk of their budget this year will be allotted for construction-related skills training courses.
Meanwhile, he said TESDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have begun discussing the possible areas of cooperation that could help address the gap in the demand of skilled workers in the region.
Navarro said he met with DPWH-3 Director Roseller A. Tolentino and discussed a plan to fast-track skills training in response to the shortage of local construction workers.
“We discussed plans, such as on-site training of workers, assessment and certification of workers in the construction sector and hiring of the graduates of construction trades within the community where the DPWH projects are located,” he said.
Likewise, Navarro said he will meet with the contractors of DPWH and district engineers to determine the manpower needs of various projects.
Among the flagship infrastructure projects in Central Luzon under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program are the new terminal at Clark International Airport, New Clark City’s Phase 1A and the road and rehabilitation projects in Subic.
