DOLE cuts apprenticeship period

The Department of Labor and Employment has reduced the period of apprenticeship from four months to three months to help more workers gain on-the-job training and subsequently meet the growing demand for workers equipped with skills required by the industry

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion issued DOLE Circular No. 2, amending certain provisions of Department Order No. 68-04 which provided for the guidelines in the implementation of the Kasanayan at Hanapbuhay program or KASH.

The KASH encompasses the apprenticeship and employment program which aims to provide new entrants to the labor force with the opportunity to acquire entry-level basic skills and work experience usually required by industry in accepting fresh graduates and other young workers.

Under the program, a worker or apprentice may undergo on-the-job training for an apprenticeable occupation approved by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. An apprenticeship agreement binds a participating employer to train the apprentice for an established period. Any unemployed person 15 years old and above may apply for apprenticeship with any participating enterprise.

In a press release, Brion said that the apprenticeship period can be extended only until the sixth month of training.

The amendment, he said, will accommodate more workers applying for apprenticeship and also meet the entry-level requirement of establishments participating in the KASH program.

The labor official added that it would facilitate the placement of apprentices in productive jobs.

Under the new scheme, employers also have the option to employ the apprentice even before the completion of the apprenticeship period.

TESDA records showed that the number of workers trained under the KASH program reached 25,662 from January to June 2006.

The garments sector trained the biggest number of trainees, at 7,789 or 30.35 percent of the total number of trainees. This was followed by the automotive sector with 2,987 or 11.64 percent, wholesale and retail trading with 2,404 or 9.37 percent, metals and engineering with 2,200 or 8.57 percent, processed food and beverages with 2,103 or 8.19 percent, electronics with 2,032 or 7.92 percent, tourism with 1,985 or 7.74 percent, and furniture and furnishing with 1,982 or 7.72 percent.

Among regions, the biggest number of trainees were found in the Calabarzon with 9,769 or 38.07 percent followed by those in Metro Manila with 7,686 or 29.95 percent, Western Mindanao with 1,559 or 6.08 percent, and Northern Mindanao with 1,507 or 5.87 percent. - Wenna A. Berondo