EIGHT more groups composed of graduates of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Specialists Techopreneurship Program will soon be setting up their own businesses in different parts of Pangasinan with help from TESDA.

Last year, two groups located in Binmaley and Lingayen, set up businesses in massage therapy, beauty care and hairdressing under the Technopreneurship Program.

Manuel Wong, provincial director of TESDA Pangasinan, explained that the program aims to transform the techno-vocational trainees into entrepreneurs.

The eight groups in the pipeline are automotive mechanic and small engine repair located in Calasiao and Mangatarem; beauty care and massage therapy in Sta. Barbara, San Fabian, Sual and Bani; and food and beverage services in Asingan and Rosales.

The program, presented by Secretary Joel Villanueva in December 2011, helps unemployed TESDA trainees start their own enterprises in their respective areas of specialty.

TESDA provides the group with start-up kits, including supplies, for the businesses and they set up shop in a rent–free space provided by the local government unit or do home service. The groups are also encouraged to charge minimal fees to customers as a form of community service.

“Whatever they earn, they keep for themselves, they do not pay a single centavo to TESDA, not even their start-up kits,’’ Wong said during the Philippine Information Agency radio program on Tuesday.

The groups will be guided and nurtured by a TESDA aide for at least six months, after which the group is expected to stand on its own with enough capital to run business.

SCHOLARS

Meanwhile, TESDA urges Pangasinenses to train for free in technical vocational courses by enrolling in the agency’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP).

TESDA served 3,656 scholars in 2011 under the TWSP and the Private Education Student Financial assistance and is currently waiting for the scholarship vouchers for 2012.

“We are mandated to develop middle level manpower thru the provision of tech- voc skills trainings,” Wong said.

TESDA also conducts competency assessment for industry workers, which is open to both TESDA and non-TESDA graduates.

Applicants who pass the assessment will be issued a National Certificate (NC), which can be used as a credential when applying for employment here and abroad.

“The national certificate is one important credential which local and foreign employers look for before accommodating skilled workers,” he said.

The competency assessment can be conducted in one day and the results can be immediately released.

He said that among the jobs that are in high demand are those categorized under health and wellness, construction, restaurant services, agri-fishery and business process outsourcing.  (PIA-Pangasinan/VHS)

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