3 agencies to focus on IT to upskill displaced workers

IT
IT

THREE regional agencies in Central Visayas will collaborate to provide employment opportunities to displaced workers as part of the government’s initiative for the country’s recovery program from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) 7, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) 7 met on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 to realign their collaboration and have common objectives of their offices.

Some four million Filipinos or 8.7 percent of the workforce were unable to find jobs in January 2021, according to the latest report of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“The DICT introduced new skills training in relation to digital literacy like virtual assistance training and many others in relation to information technology. For DTI, the agency is promoting skills for purposes of livelihood and here in Tesda, we are always giving opportunities as part of our support to the government’s recovery program,” lawyer Andrew Bido, Tesda 7 director, told SunStar Cebu.

DTI 7 Director Maria Elena Arbon said the move will promote and conduct training that support digital opportunities for both employment and entrepreneurship.

“(We are focusing) on information technology (IT) and digital and also in upskilling our manpower, especially the displaced workers and overseas Filipino workers. With digital skills they can enter the gig economy—they can find online jobs available locally and globally. Or they can be entrepreneurs and start an online business—not only reselling but in operating a small business process management catering to small businesses in other countries in areas such as virtual assistants, creative content work, bookkeeping and others,” she said.

Arbon said the DTI is also mulling to set up a fabrication laboratory inside Tesda’s innovation hub.

Tesda is a strategic partner for both the DTI 7 and the DICT 7 because they have the resources and reach, she said.

“For the DICT 7, this means more reach for its digital jobs program. For DTI 7, it means opening a track for more focus on improving our digital skills and also promoting and supporting more digitalization for our micro, small and medium enterprises and business enterprises,” Arbon said.

The DTI 7 also plans to partner with some players in the IT sector for a digital entrepreneurship mentoring program, the DTI 7 chief added. (JOB)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph