MANILA –– With an aim to contribute in the government’s Build, Build Build program, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is urging construction companies to partner with the agency for its training programs.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Friday, TESDA Planning Office executive director Marissa Legaspi said construction firms would be a huge help for the agency’s training programs.
“Theories are being taught in school. But the hands-on exercise may be provided by the firms. They could also provide jobs to our trainees or graduates,” she said.
Some of TESDA’s regional offices have an existing partnership with Aboitiz Construction, Golden Bay Philippines Corp., and Jorviv’s Construction.
Legaspi noted that other government agencies, especially those involved in the Build, Build, Build program, are also encouraged to partner with TESDA.
“We have an existing memorandum of understing with the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). They can help us provide employment to our trainees since the DPWH has a huge need for construction,” she shared.
TESDA has been prioritizing the provision of free training or infrastructure-related technical and vocational education and training (TVET) since the Build, Build, Build program requires about 200,000 construction workers.
According to Legaspi, the DPWH also wanted its skilled workers to get a national certification (NC) which the TESDA provides.
TESDA can also partner with agencies such as the DOTr (Department of Transportation), DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment), Legaspi added.
“The DOLE, for instance, could help us identify ways to improve wages, safety and health of our workers,” she remarked. (Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA)
