THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) handed over this week starter toolkits to more Special Training for Employment Program (Step) scholars in Metro Manila.
Under the theme “Pagbibigay sa mga Minamahal na Magsasanay,” the agency’s ceremonial turnover on February 10 marked the massive distribution for student-beneficiaries in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Tesda Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña personally gave the toolkits to several Step graduates who finished hilot (wellness massage) National Certificate (NC) II, cold-meals preparation (leading to NC II), plumbing NC I, shielded metal-arc welding NC I, facial treatment (leading to beauty care NC II), as well as electrical installation and maintenance NC II.
“With these new set of toolkits, you will be able to practice and put to good use the training and competencies you have gained from Tesda,” Lapeña said. “Hopefully, this will also pave the way for a more comfortable life for all of you. The same thing that the President, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, envisions: a comfortable life for all Filipinos,” he said.
The Tesda chief is optimistic the said event will inspire others who would like to pursue or start their own small businesses.
Tesda Deputy Director General for Operations Lina Sarmiento, Tesda-NCR Regional Director Florencio F. Sunico Jr., and the six district directors who accompanied the scholars in receiving their toolkits, joined Lapeña at the ceremony.
Sunico clarified that Tesda District Offices in Metro Manila have already started their distribution when the Step starter toolkits arrived last month.
“Here in NCR, we will continue to distribute Step starter toolkits until all of our 21,846 Step graduates have received theirs. [The items will] help our graduates set their career in motion,” he said. “Other benefits these scholars receive apart from the toolkits are free entrepreneurship training and training allowances.”
Lapeña has directed all Tesda regional and provincial offices to contact immediately all the rest of the toolkit recipients nationwide and urged the Step 2019 graduates to contact them as well: “Please get in touch with the provincial offices nearest you, so you can immediately get your toolkits.”