Mindanaotoday.com | 65 Hedcor scholars in Bukidnon finish TESDA courses
MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) together with the Manolo Fortich Public Employment Service Office (PESO) held its first-ever graduation rites since the onset of the pandemic, honoring 130 TESDA scholars in a simple ceremony.
Among the 130 graduates, 65 are scholars of the Aboitiz Foundation and Hedcor. Of the 65 scholar-graduates, 25 residents from Barangay Santiago completed a one-month Certificate in Bamboo Production NC II course, while 40 Guilang-Guilang youths completed a three-month Certificate in Masonry NC II and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II course.
Bamboo Production NC II graduates were equipped with knowledge of bamboo nursery operations, establishing a bamboo farm, safety measures, and operating simple equipment utilizing various tools.
After completing the course, Hedcor awarded the Santiago Diversified Farmers Association (SANDIVFA) a financial grant of P390,000 for the second phase of the livelihood project, where trainees will upgrade their skills and learn about conducting bamboo clump rehabilitation, harvesting, and post-harvesting operations.
Meanwhile, Masonry NC II and SMAW NC II graduates went through skills training to increase their chances of employability.
Hedcor also hired the said scholars to construct their barangay’s covered court perimeter fence upon successfully completing the TESDA courses.
Aside from scholarships, the graduates under the Aboitiz Foundation and Hedcor scholarship also received a daily allowance and free training in farming skills, safety measures, and equipment operations.
They also received assistance such as personal protective equipment; tools and equipment; and bamboo seedlings.
Rolando Pacquiao, Hedcor president and chief operations officer,
“The greatest challenge you will face after graduation will be beyond the four walls of your training institution—the application of the skills you have learned in TESDA, whether as an employee or an entrepreneur. Skills are still the global currency today. Hard-earned skills and training are essential for getting hired,” Pacquiao emphasized in his keynote speech.
He said that the Aboitiz Foundation’s support would not end here because the company will continue to do its best to help more youths in communities across the country, directly or indirectly, as the Foundation hopes that the collaboration and relationship become two-way. After all, it needs everyone’s contribution and commitment to be able to advance businesses and communities.
“Before the year ends, community members from Barangay Lingion in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, will be gifted with TESDA scholarships from the Aboitiz Foundation and Hedcor as it continues to lead the community down a path where dreams come true and its vision of safe, empowered, and sustainable communities is attainable,” Pacquiao said. (Hedcor-AboitizPower | PIA-10 | Bukidnon)
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