CITY OF BALIWAG—Former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General and the “TESDA Man” himself Senator Joel Villanueva continues to be an inspiration to the agency’s graduates through words of encouragement, positivity and hope.
More than 5,000 graduates of different vocational courses under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) of TESDA from different towns and cities in Bulacan were motivated by Villanueva not to ever give up on their dreams during their graduation rites held at Star Arena in this city on Friday.
The first 2,500 of the total 5,249 newly skilled Bulakenyos in Solar Night Light Assembly, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, Carpentry NC II, Consumer Electronics NC II, Cookery NC II, Dressmaking NC II, Driving NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II ,Organic Concoction, Organic Hogs, Organic Small Ruminants, Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC, I Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II and Visual Graphics Design NC II received their respective skills and expertise tool kits during the ceremony.
Villanueva whose birth anniversary coincides with the graduation ceremony has earlier institutionalized the STEP during his term as TESDA director in 2010 to ensure that the graduates of the agency will certainly land with a job and a livelihood.
STEP not only provides skills and competency but tool kits for the graduate’s livelihood.
“During our time at TESDA, we introduced the STEP to ensure that our trainees not only acquire essential skills but also have the means to immediately apply their skills and generate income through the use of their toolkits,” Villanueva emphasized.
“Bakit certificate of competency lang na magagmit, kung pwede rin naman na bigyan na sila ng tool kit. Bigyan ng pagsisimula para makatayo sa sariling paa,” the senator added as the principle behind the STEP.
Villanueva also encouraged the fresh graduates not to stop learning but continue to enrich themselves with higher skills and competency. He announced the signing into of Senate Bill No. 363 or the Enterprise-Based Education and Training to Employment Act next week which will retool the workers with at par capabilities in their respective fields.
“Huwag makontento na may natutunan. Mag –aspire sa mas marami pang matututunan para tuluyang maging world class na workers. Huwag na huwag na huwag na huwag bibitaw sa inyong pangarap, may awa ang Diyos, kaya Niya kayong tulungan,” the senator ended his encouragements and words of inspiration to the graduates.
The senator also assured them of the support of their local chief executivess—City of Baliwag Mayor Ferdie Estrella, Guiguinto Mayor Agatha Cruz and Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustinio who also graced the ceremony including Department of Science and Technology (DOST) other TESDA officials.
