Training revved up for electricians

01 July 2014

Intensive training will be offered to electricians to ensure that they are competent enough to work safely and efficiently on infrastructures, buildings and homes.

Coming together in a partnership, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Society of Philippine Electrotechnical Constructors (SPECS) agreed to hone the skills of 670 Filipino electricians.

In a Memorandum of Agreement signed on June 30, 2014, TESDA committed to fund the training using P3.15 million from its Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP). It will cover existing workers in the industry and incoming workers who need re-tooling or training prior to employment.

The training period will be from July to December 2014. Graduates will also undergo assessment and certification.

Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General, said electricians are among the most in-demand workers in the country and abroad.

"The prospects for employment are good, that's why we want to strike while the iron is hot and continuously build a workers' pool for the industry," he said.

Villanueva said that the partnership with SPECS is timely because it positions the path of technical vocational training on competencies that the market needs.

The TESDA chief stressed that producing quality graduates are at the forefront of the goals of the training, especially in a critical skill such as electrical installation.

"Electricians carry out death-defying jobs. One small mistake could expose to risks both the worker and the home or establishment being serviced," he said.

"The training is also aimed at teaching the graduates to be very cautious and to work safely," Villanueva added.

From July to December 2014, trainings will be conducted for Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II and NC III and Training Methodology NC I.  

TESDA will also hold the National TVET Competency Assessment and Certification for 300 applicants from July to October 2014.

TESDA and SPECS committed to achieve an employment rate of at least 70 percent of the graduates within six months to one year from the scholar's graduation, according to the agreement.

SPECS will engage the different electrotechnical member-companies for the allocation of the TWSP related to their training. These companies will in turn engage the training providers with TESDA registered programs to undertake the training based on the approved Qualification Map (QM).

SPECS will also establish and maintain a Training Development Fund which will be used for future training of existing workers, pre-employment and re-tooling of incoming workers in the construction sector and for the promotion of training programs.

Villanueva signed the agreement for TESDA, while SPECS was represented by its chairman, Pablito Freo.

Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General, signs a Memorandum of Agreement with chairman Pablito P. Freo of the Society of Philippine Electrotechnical Constructors and Suppliers (SPECS) for the training of existing workers and pre-employment and re-tooling of incoming workers in the electrical sector. Witnessing the signing of the agreement are officials of TESDA and SPECs.