LINGAYEN—Hanjin Shipping Company Limited, a Korean shipbuilding company based at the Subic Freeport Zone in Olongapo, has approved a training program for some 321 welders from Pangasinan.

At the same time, the company also screened some 168 engineers from the province   to fill its increasing manpower quota.

Governor Amado Espino Jr. said that the job placements offered by Subic-based Hanjin will help ease the backlog of employment in Pangasinan which annually produces the biggest number of college graduates nationwide.

The Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) announced Hanjin needs at least 600 engineers and 1,000 highly skilled welders from Pangasinan for its $1-billion shipbuilding project at the Subic Bay Freeport.

In screening workers, KC TECH Inc. of Hanjin has already interviewed some 290 welder applicants last September 5, out of which 279 have already been accepted in the first round of qualifications.

Alex Ferrer, PESO Chief, said the 500 qualified welders will undergo job orientation right after passing the interviews.

The company will provide trainees with complete uniforms, protective equipment and P150.00 per day training allowance for the duration of their training in Subic.

Meanwhile, engineer applicants who had been interviewed for immediate deployment will undergo final screening in Subic.

Recently, Fujitsu Products Corporation of the Phils. in Laguna likewise expressed interest of hiring some 400 female applicants as production operators.  #