218 TESDA scholars receive starter toolkits

CEBU, Philippines —  A total of 218 scholars of Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) in Lapu-Lapu City have received their starter toolkits from deputy director general Aniceto “John” Bertiz III.

The scholars underwent trainings in dressmaking NC II, shielded metal arc welding NCI and assemble electronic products for free through TESDA’s special training for employment program (STEP).

The trainings were facilitated by the Office of Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Paz Radaza.

Radaza said the STEP scholars were also given free allowance within their three months training.  A total of P7.7 million was allocated for the training program by TESDA.

According to Radaza, she took the initiative to partner with TESDA to provide jobs and livelihood to the Oponganons.

“We, with our TESDA family, have already addressed this problem. Hatagan kamo og starter toolkits ug gihatagan pud mo og transportation allowance para sa inyong training,” Radaza said.

In her message during the turnover of the toolkits, Radaza assured the Oponganons that she will work hard in Congress to allocate more funds for the TESDA training.

“That is why, as your congresswoman, I work hard in Congress to provide a sufficient budget for you for the successful implementation of TESDA programs here in Lapu-Lapu City,” Radaza said.

The former city mayor also encouraged the recipients to take care of the toolkits and put it into good use.

STEP is among TESDA’s scholarship programs that aim to provide free quality technical vocational education and training to deserving beneficiaries in the country.

According to TESDA, the provision of starter toolkits is one of the major components of STEP to ensure that STEP graduates could immediately engage in productive and self-employment or entrepreneurial activities upon completion of the training.

TESDA added that STEP is a community-based training program that seeks to address the specific skills needs of the communities and promote employment, through entrepreneurial, self- employment, and service-oriented activities.

STEP is TESDA’s response to address poverty in the informal sector by providing the disadvantaged sector training and employment through Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for social equity. — FPL (FREEMAN)