CATARMAN, Northern Samar — The technical education center, built with the financial support of Hyundai Steel Korea and the Community Chest of Korea, was officially turned over to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on April 11, 2019.
With a brief ceremony packed with colorful festivities and performances, TESDA Regional Director Cleta Omega and Provincial Director Zosimo de Asis received the four-classroom facility and equipment meant for technical-vocational studies of young women and men of Northern Samar. Witnesses to this event were local government officials, led by Catarman Vice Mayor Boots Bonsol, and representatives of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry.
“On this training center, young people from marginalized communities – regardless of gender and physical limitations – can enroll in the most employable skills-based courses,” said Ryan Lander, Plan International Philippines’ Deputy Country Director for Program.
Courses that will be offered soon will include masonry, carpentry, tile setting, with additional course on shielded metal arc welding.
The Hyundai Steel Technical Education Center was built through a project that seeks to improve youth access, especially those who are out of school, to decent employment and livelihood opportunities.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), about 50% of the country’s population is composed of individuals below the age of 21, 50.3% of which is male and 49.7% is female.
This great share of young people already comprised 52% of unemployed Filipinos.
A National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) report shows that Northern Samar ranks as the third poorest province in the country.
The youth’s unemployment is particularly attributed to the demands of the market which do not yield a specific match to their skills.
In addition to this facility, the project is forging partnerships with government institutions and private companies to develop clustered skills training courses on hospitality and construction, with sound apprenticeship programs and assistance on job placements after graduation. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/PR)
