WITH the increasing demand for welders in the local and international industry sectors, a Cebu-based metal fabrication company plans to invest between P150 million to P200 million to establish a training facility on welding.
Edward Dampor Sr., Brilliant Metal Craft and Machine Design (BMC) general manager, said BMC, with funding from the International Humanitarian Foundation, will establish a welding and metal fabrication school this year.
“(They) already processed the money for the school, (they said they’re) positive(about it since it’s already) 98 percent processed,” he said, referring to the IHF funding.
Dampor told Sun.Star Cebu that once the funds are available, BMC plans to start the construction of the school next month.
5,000 students
The future welding and metal fabrication school will accommodate about 5,000 students and all the necessary facilities, he said.
Dampor said the school would help answer the growing demand for welders in the country and overseas.
BMC also runs a welders’ training facility but Dampor said the company can only accommodate about 60 trainees because everything is conducted at his residence in Mabolo.
He said there is a shortage of welders locally and overseas because there is no one offering a training program for welders.
“I saw the opportunity sa ka daghan sa demand abroad. Naa’y permanent job (for welders with) attractive income pud,” said Anthony Reyes, 30, who recently graduated from the BMC training.
High school graduate Junry Mediana, who also just completed the BMC welders’ training, said he decided to enroll in the program because he saw it as a chance to attain a better life.
Welders earn about $600 to $2,005 monthly overseas, Dampor said.
Economy
“(Their earnings) will go back to helping our economy; welding is the solution to alleviate poverty” as Filipino welders working overseas would be sending money to their families, he said.
He said foreign companies prefer Filipino welders because they are not only skilled but are also able to quickly understand instructions and are hardworking.
He said Maersk, a major cargo and shipping company in based in Denmark, plans to recruit 1,500 welders, preferably from the Philippines. He added that Tsuneishi Heavy Industries and Magsaysay Shipping are also looking for welders.
Dampor said that despite minimal support from government, BMC was able to send two batches of welders to countries like Canada, Denmark and Japan and 54 others to local companies.
Dampor is confident about the skills of his students because, aside from the program’s 45-day “continuous training” with “90 percent hands on and 10 percent lecture” program, BMC provides “6G” or the highest welder qualification that is at par with international standards. (TEP)
