by Claire R. Gigje
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)–Some 150 scholars who participated in technical-vocational training received their toolkits and allowances from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education-Technical Education and Skills Development (MBHTE-TESD) through its Lanao del Sur Provincial Office under the implemented Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).
With the involvement of six TESD-accredited schools, 100 trainees underwent pastry-making training for 10 days, while two groups of 25 trainees each separately completed concrete plastering for 20 days and prepare and cook hot meals training for 28 days, respectively.
Completers of pastry-making training received P2,600, while concrete plaster trainees got P3,200, and trainees who prepare and cook hot meals were given P4,480.
Asnawi Bato, the provincial director of MBHTE-TESD in Lanao del Sur, said they use their Training Support Fund to give allowances to trainees to help at least with the costs they had to pay while they were in training, such as for transportation and food.
Additionally, they hand over toolkits for the start-up of the finishers.
Bato said that the budget for this program comes from the national budget, which is then sent to the TESD-Lanao del Sur Provincial Office.
“This is a nationally-funded scholarship program na dumadaan from TESDA central office to BARMM through Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education at pinapadala naman sa ating opisina, sa TESD-Lanao del Sur Provincial Office,” he said.
(This is a nationally-funded scholarship program that comes from the TESDA central office to BARMM through the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education and is then sent to our office, the TESD-Lanao del Sur Provincial Office)
Bato expounded that those who finished the training can get a National Certificate (NC) Level II if they pursue full qualifications and pass the competency assessment.
He explained that what has been offered is only a cluster of competencies, and recent participants still need to complete other competencies to achieve the full qualifications.
Accordingly, pastry-making may lead to Bread and Pastry Production NC II, concrete plaster to Masonry NC II, and preparing and cooking hot meals to Cookery NC II.
Aiming to expand their coverage, Bato shared that his office has been working almost 24 hours a day, considering clients and constituents continue to message them through their Facebook accounts, and they are accommodated to immediately respond to their concerns and grievances.
As such, he conveyed that citizens interested in partaking in their training may approach TESD-registered schools or visit their provincial office from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“As long as may opisina at office hours, available ang ating mga empleyado na tumugon sa kanilang mga katanungan o pangangailangan sa ating opisina,” said Bato.
(As long as our office is open and it is during office hours, our employees are available to address their questions or needs from the office). (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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