Ninety-six out-of-school youths (OSYs) and adults including a technical sergeant of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Weather Group joined the roster of the province’s available manpower resources for gainful employment as they completed four technical skills courses offered by the Pampanga provincial government.
Francis Maslog, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Manpower Training Center (PMTC) said that of the total 96 graduates, 15 successfully finished the three-month courses on consumer electronics, 19 on computer literacy, 34 on shielded metal arc welding and 28 on computer hardware servicing.
These courses, explained Maslog, were conducted free of charge by the provincial government in line with the thrust of Governor Lilia G. Pineda’s administration of providing ample livelihood and employment opportunities to target needy sectors in the province.
He shared that the governor has been very supportive to the various training activities of the PMTC as she ensured that the center is completely equipped with needed electrical training tools and equipment such as compressors and grinders including safety gears like hard hats and gloves.
At the graduation ceremonies held at the Benigno Aquino Memorial Hall, Maslog encouraged the graduates to further hone their newly-acquired skills, use them in gaining employment, and if possible, put up their own business.
One of the shielded metal arc welding graduates, Benny de Guzman, a technical sergeant of the PAF Weather Group based at Clark Air Base, signified his intention to buy his own welding machine and start his own business as he plans to retire from government service a year or so from now.
De Guzman lauded the provincial government’s program of providing technical education and skills development courses to others like him who would like to venture to other possible livelihood opportunities.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Director Ben-hur Baniqued congratulated the graduates for successfully completing their respective short courses as he said that there are a number of employment opportunities awaiting them.
Baniqued enjoined them to strive and work hard not only in gaining employment but in becoming entrepreneurs themselves.
Maslog said that the graduates will further undergo 300-hours of on-the-job training with local companies such as Honda Cars in the City of San Fernando, Enigma Computer Shop in Angeles City, St. Catherine Realty and other supportive business establishments.
He proudly shared that one of the center’s graduates last year, Joseph Estrada, a namesake of the former president, bested other graduates of a prestigious national-based institution as he now works as automotive mechanic at the Malacanang Palace’s motor pool.
“We also coordinate closely with the Pampanga Action Center for OFW Concerns (PACOC), Public Employment Services Office (PESO) including locators at Clark and placement agencies for possible employment of our training graduates,” Maslog ended. (Erlinda T. Yutuc, Pampanga PIO)
