15 December 2015
The steady boom in real estate and infrastructure development in the country has kept constant the need for skilled masons.
To have a ready corps of craftsmen needed by the market, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and CEMEX Philippines Foundation continue their partnership in providing training to qualified workers.
A total of 29 individuals recently emerged as the latest batch of skilled masons prepared to sharpen their craft in turning stone, brick and concrete into walkways, walls, buildings and more.
The training-cum-production, conducted in Iloilo from September to November, required the trainees to complete 258 training hours in 33 days.
“The course, Masonry NC II, aims to enhance the level of skills and knowledge competencies of the trainees in masonry work to improve their productivity,” Irene Isaac, TESDA Director General, said.
Isaac explained that enhanced competencies means improved quality of workmanship, speed, safety, less breakdown of equipment, less downtime and less wastage of materials.
“It means improved productivity on the part of the workers and bigger profit on the part of the employer,” she added.
The TESDA chief said that the partnership with CEMEX was timely amid the continued surge in construction and home improvement works, which all need masonry works.
“Masonry work is naturally grueling, thus there is need for the workers to be really skilled in the craft,” Isaac said.
With the training program completed, the masons also have undergone competency assessment and are now recipients of the TESDA National Certificate.
For the training program, TESDA and CEMEX Foundation forged a Memorandum of Agreement. This batch is the first in Iloilo and the fifth in the country.
CEMEX Foundation said partnering with TESDA will further strengthen its corporate and social responsibility program. Its mother company, CEMEX Philippines, is one of the country's biggest providers of building solutions and construction materials.
Under the agreement, TESDA provided qualified trainers in Masonry. The trainees were selected by CEMEX Foundation. The foundation made available the needed training tools, supplies and materials during the training and for the assessment. It also provided training allowance to the trainees.
The Masonry NC II course included the following competencies: workplace communication; occupational health and safety procedures; preparation of construction materials and tools; performing mensuration and calculation; maintaining tools and equipment; preparing masonry materials; laying brick for structure; plastering wall surface; preparing basic masonry works; and, installing pre-cast balusters and handrails.
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