National apprenticeship program launched in Dagupan
AN apprenticeship program similar to the system popularly used by industries in Germany, was launched during an apprenticeship summit on August 5 in Dagupan City that coincided with a jobs fair joined by some 30 industries.
Sponsored by the National Youth Commission (NYC), under the Office of the President, the “Pinoy Apprentice” program seeks to integrate unemployed youth with the highly technical industries in the country until they can acquire the necessary skills in working on their crafts.
The program was held at the CSI Stadia the Dagupan City government led by Mayor Belen Fernandez, in coordination with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, a German foundation, to give opportunities to the city’s youth to improve their work skills.
Ms. Fernandez was represented in the summit by City Administrator Farah Decano.
Some 600 out-of-school youth and those who have completed their high school and college degrees applied to be covered by the program.
NYC chairperson Geo Tingson told newsmen that apprenticeship programs by industries are regulated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The program allows enterprises to absorb young people for highly technical training from four to six months, to be paid at least 75 percent of the minimum wage and social security benefits.
After their training, depending on their performance and exposure to the work assigned them, they will be absorbed by the industries as their regular workers.
Elaborating on the program, Tingson said, “We need to be able to equip our youth in getting into the workforce, noting that the big number of unemployed could be due to job skill mismatch.”
Tingson said Dagupan is the first beneficiary of the NYC and if proven successful, it will be duplicated in other provinces.
“Agri-fisheries industries must be encouraged to employ young people to encourage them to take up agriculture and fisheries”, said Tingson, citing government data showing that the average age of a Filipino farmer is 57.
Dagupan City Schools Superintendent Froserfina Bravo noted that the NYC apprenticeship program jibes with the immersion program under K to 12 program. (Leonardo Micua)
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