Tesda training center gets P126M from S. Korea

THE government of South Korea has approved the grant of US$3 million (P126-M) to the government of the Philippines for the Phase II project of the Regional Training Center-Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC) in Buhisan, Tibungco, Davao City. This funding is in addition to the US$5 million initial grant to the Training Center in 2003.

Joel Villanueva, Secretary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and Kim Jinoh of Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) have signed the Project Document detailing the cooperation of the two governments last July 10.

The project aims to establish an integrated and cohesive training provision to respond to the agri-mechanization thrust and manpower requirements of Davao Region and Mindanao; contribute to sustainable self-supporting operation of the Center by upgrading the training facilities and program, promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance, and strengthening human resource capacity; and contribute to an increase in youth employment and the industrial development of the Philippines by providing the skilled workers required by labor market.

Part of the agreement was the refurbishment of the training center's existing facilities, construction of additional building and provision of equipments. Korean Experts on vocational training will also be dispatched to the Philippines to provide technical assistance while instructors and managers of the center will be sent to Korea to enhance their knowledge in their respective trade areas.

Inaugurated in March 2005, the RTC-KPVTC, Davao envisions to be the leading agricultural mechanization technology institute in the Philippines and the Asean by developing internationally competitive workers. In April 2010, it received a silver accreditation, the second highest level of accreditation given for a technical school, from the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission. (PR)