LEGAZPI CITY, June 3, 2015 (PIA) – Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Sec. Joel J. Villanueva attended the STEP (Special Training for Employment Program) graduation ceremony of 207 technical-vocational graduates of San Francisco Institute of Science and Technology and Provincial Training Center - Malilipot yesterday, June 2, 2015 at the Lagman Gymnasium, Bicol University Tabaco Campus, Tabaco City, Albay.
Out of the 207 scholars who graduated yesterday, 21 took up Perform Under Chassis Preventive Maintenance (Leading to Automotive Servicing NC I); 19 scholars for Service Ignition System (Leading to Automotive Servicing NC I); 45 scholars for Perform Single Unit Plumbing Installation and Repair Maintenance Work; 46 scholars for Maintain and Repair Electronically Controlled Domestic Appliances (Leading to Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II); 23 scholars for Dressmaking NC II; 13 scholars for Service Small Engine System and Components (Leading to MSES NC II); and 40 scholars for Perform Manicure and Pedicure (Leading to Beauty Care Services NC II).
STEP is a community-based training program that seeks to address the specific needs of the communities and promote employment particularly through entrepreneurial, self-employment and self-oriented activities. It differs from other TESDA skill training programs because aside from the free training and competency assessment, the scholars will receive a P60 training allowance per day for the duration of the course plus a starter toolkit which can be used to start up their own livelihood.
In his speech, Secretary Villanueva said he is honored to have returned here in Albay to personally congratulate the graduates and commend the tech-voc providers, schools and institutions for their partnership with TESDA in providing skills training programs. He encouraged all the graduates to be TESDA Ambassadors and aim to be world-class skilled workers.
Villanueva announced that for this semester alone, TESDA have allocated P50 Million worth of Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) for Albay.
He also awarded new scholarship vouchers on various TESDA scholarship programs to 21 technical vocational institutions equivalent to 1,908 slots or P11,183,860 worth of scholarship.
The ceremony was also attended by Albay First District Rep. Edcel “Grex” Lagman Jr. and TESDA Regional Director Conrado G. Bares who helped Villanueva distribute medals, certificates and toolkits to the outstanding scholars. (ANN/RBLotivio-PIA 5)