SOME 123 residents of the Third District, Negros Occidental recently completed livelihood skills training with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
Those who completed the training were from Victorias, EB Magalona, Talisay and Murcia including the inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)–Victorias. They were given certificates of completion and toolkits.
Two separate Special Training for Employment Program (Step) completion rites were held in Talisay City and in Victorias City led by Tesda.
During the rites, Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez, in his message read to the graduates, told them to “embrace a new mindset of openness for opportunities. Make the most of your new skills. Be productive citizens of your community.”
The ceremony was led by Tesda provincial director Jimmicio Daoaten, Tesda Specialist Pablo Cortez, officials from the local government and the barangays, and the Program and Services Group of the Congressional District Office led by Lagrimas Silvestre.
Thirty trainees from Victorias completed the Hilot Wellness Massage Therapy Program. Fifty from the barangays of Talisay and E.B. Magalona finished the Shielded Metal Arc Welding Program, 43 from Murcia and Victorias underwent the Service Engine leading to Automotive Program.
Benitez partnered with Tesda since 2011 for the participation of constituents in various TESDA programs among them, the Step, Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) and Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA).
To date, close to 2,000 residents have availed of the livelihood courses and have either found employment locally or abroad or have started their own business. (PR)