Over 100 hired at TESDA ‘World Cafe of Opportunities’

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

September 1, 2019, 6:55 pm

<p><strong>ONE-STOP SHOP FOR JOB SEEKERS.</strong> Over 1,000 technical vocational education training graduates trooped to the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday (Aug. 27, 2019) for the second World Cafe of Opportunities of TESDA-NCR, of them 118 were hired on-the-spot. During WCO's launch last year, more than 2,000 attended and 105 were hired instantly.  <em>(Photo courtesy of TESDA)</em></p>

ONE-STOP SHOP FOR JOB SEEKERS. Over 1,000 technical vocational education training graduates trooped to the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday (Aug. 27, 2019) for the second World Cafe of Opportunities of TESDA-NCR, of them 118 were hired on-the-spot. During WCO's launch last year, more than 2,000 attended and 105 were hired instantly.  (Photo courtesy of TESDA)

MANILA -- Over 100 were hired on-the-spot at the second World Cafe of Opportunities (WCO) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-National Capital Region (TESDA-NCR) earlier this week, an official said.
 
There were 1,050 technical vocational education training (TVET) graduates who trooped to the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday for the WCO, a one-stop shop for job seekers.  Of this, 118 were hired on-the-spot. 
 
During WCO's launch last year, more than 2,000 attended and 105 were hired instantly, TESDA deputy director for operations, Gladys Rosales, said.
 
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña noted that technical-vocational (tech-voc) education is important, as those who could not afford a college degree take this path.
 
"Many companies nowadays require that their applicants are TESDA-certified. Many of our graduates opted to work abroad," he said.
 
The WCO, he said, is like a one-stop shop where TESDA graduates could get information about the skills upgrade programs they could avail of, job opportunities from partner companies and government agencies. 
 
Those interested to take tech-voc courses may also attend the WCO to know of the available scholarship programs.
 
TESDA-NCR's partner agencies for the 2019 WCO are the Department of Trade and Industry, Home Development Mutual Fund, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Science and Technology, Public Employment Services Office (PESO), Department of Labor and Employment, and Landbank of the Philippines.
 
At least 34 PESO-accredited private companies also took part in the WCO. 
 
While TESDA has been holding the WCO in different regions from August 20-29 and has been focusing on offering construction-related job opportunities and courses, TESDA-NCR also focused on the information and communication technology and tourism sectors as these are in-demand in the region, Lapeña confirmed.
 
"Our mandate is not just to provide skills training to people, but also help them get employed or start a livelihood. What's the purpose of training if they would not be able to use it after graduation?" remarked Lapeña.
 
Attendees of the WCO can learn how partner financial institutions could assist them in starting up a business.
 
Meanwhile, TESDA reiterated that the WCO is open not just for TVET graduates, but also for those who are interested to take tech-voc courses. 
 
Members of the NCR Alliance of TVET Schools Association (NATSA), an association of technical vocational institutions, participated in the second WCO to entertain those who want to avail of the scholarship programs of TESDA.
 
TESDA-NCR has put up an exhibit at the Ynares Sports Arena to showcase skills excellence as well as offer different services to the attendees. 
 
Among the exhibitors were: Center for Barista and Tourism Academy and Carenet Healthcare Institute Inc. (barista); Asian Entrepreneurs Technological Institute Inc. (massage); and Reyes Haircutters (haircut). (PNA)
 
 

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