Skilled workers vital to economy

DAVAO DEL NORTE, January 28, 2016 - 1st District Congressman Anthony del Rosario reiterated the important contribution of skilled workers to the growth and prosperity of the national economy.

“Skilled workers are very vital to our economy, as they increase the productivity of the country,” del Rosario told the new scholars of the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).

He also asked them to train well to be able to build their own niche in their field of expertise, during their training induction program at the Provincial Capitol.

Through the initiative of the lawmaker, some 90 out-of-school youth and adults from low-income communities are included in the latest batch of STEP scholars in the province

They will get a free training on cellphone repair, electrical wiring installation, tile setting, manicure and pedicure that will help them easily find job after graduation.

STEP is a community-based specialty training program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) that aims to address the specific skills needs of the communities and promote employment, particularly through entrepreneurial, self-employment and service-oriented activities.

Del Rosario has already provided free tech-voc training to some 475 out-of-school youth amounting to P5.6M since 2014, with priority given to the indigenous people in District 1.

This is besides the scholarship grant provided to 1,155 students in the college level worth P12,000/year per student.

Educational assistance were also given to high school students who received academic and leadership excellence awards from all public secondary schools in the district.

The tech-voc scholars were also given toolkits that they can use in starting their livelihood, aside from the assistance they got in undergoing competency assessment.

The passers were also awarded the TESDA National Certificate that guarantees their possession of the required skills.(Noel Baguio/PIO DN)