TESDA, PCA to train 2,000 construction supervisors

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA), Inc. have joined forces to train some 2,000 construction supervisors under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) in support of the "Build, Build, Build" program of President Rodrigo Duterte.

This is contained in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by TESDA Director General, Secretary Guiling “Gene” A. Mamondiong and PCA President Engr. Mariano S. Agoncillo during simple ceremonies held at the TESDA Central Office in Taguig City last July 20.

Mamondiong said that the MOA is part of the assistance for the two groups which aims to push the "Build Build Build" program of the government and establish the public-private partnership that will aid the limited resources of the government in public service.

TESDA will enforce the training for work scholarship program in support of the construction supervisor development program while the PCA will help uplift the skills and capacity of the construction supervisors.

Mamondiong said that the primary goal of the partnership is to create qualified, globally competitive, and job-ready construction supervisors and assistant construction supervisors needed by the construction industry.

Under the agreement, PCA will hire construction supervisors and assistant construction supervisors under the on-the-job training and will be given funds for the training program.

On the other hand, TESDA will allot some P30 million for the training of some 2,000 construction supervisors who will be trained by training provider registered under the agency's programs related to construction sector which is among the approved Qualification Map. This year, some 150 construction supervisors will be trained.

Mamondiong also said that the release of funds is in compliance with the Ominibus Guidelines for 2018 TWSP and Special Training for Employment (STEP) contained in the TESDA Circular No.3 series of 2018 issued on January 25, 2018.

To ensure the lasting partnership and continuous development of highly-trained construction supervisors, both PCA and TESDA will get training centers under the "quality-assured systems on program registration" of TESDA

It was also agreed upon that 70 percent of the graduates will be given jobs in six months up to one year from the time they graduate.

Witnesses at the signing of agreement between TESDA and PCA were Rosanna A. Urdaneta, Deputy Director General for Policies and Planning of TESDA and Ibarra G. Paulino, executive director, PCA.

The training program for the construction supervisors is formed by PCA following a meeting with Mamondiong in which they vowed to support the "Build, Build Build" program.

In June 2017, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board Committee on Infrastructure (INFRACOM) and Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) announced the 75 infrastructure flagship projects of the Duterte administration. It needs some 200,000 skilled workers/laborers.

In response to the "Build, Build, Build" program, TESDA will enforce the Train to Build Build Build Project through the Construction cum Training model and other special training arrangements in the construction industry.