Monday, June 15, 2009

Philippine Scholarships for Technical and Vocational Courses

Some 150 President Gloria Scholarship Coupons (PGSC) for technical vocational courses were given Friday as the country celebrates the 111th Independence Day with a highlight on the country-wide "Kalayaan 2009 Mega Jobs Fair".

The awarding of the scholarship certificates happened during the flag raising ceremonies and Independence Day program here attended by about a little more than a thousand as part of the government's efforts to spur jobs and keep Filipinos above water in this time of economic crisis. 

Technical Educations and Skills Development Authority Provincial Director Francisca Opog presented the beneficiaries to Governor Erico Aumentado and the Boholanos a few minutes before Bohol Employment and Placement Office (BEPO) also opened its jobs fair at the second floor of the Capitol.

The scholarship coupons allow job seekers some more job skill competencies through the TESDA trainings, says agency information Officer Jaminel Damolo, during a casual talk.

Damolo shared that Bohol still has about 856 scholarship slots and even with the 150 awardees, TESDA still has to award some more scholars soon. 

TESDA started with 2273 scholars, some 1477 have already graduated and while some are already working, others are still hoping to land jobs soon. 

"The activity is part of the President's economic resiliency program where the beneficiaries are expected to land future jobs and boost their spending power," he said.   

While Bohol was not part of the 19 cities nationwide where the "Kalayaan 2009 Mega Job Fair" was simultaneously held, BEPO Head Romulo Tagaan bared that Capitol also initiated its move for local and international job seekers to tap and match skills with vacancies.

Speaking at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA and aired at DyTR, Tagaan shared that with TESDA, BEPO has considerably done its mandates to allow local job seekers to get into jobs.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo tasked the Department of Labor and Employment to spearhead simultaneously job fairs from June 12 to 14 with about 1000 employers from the private and government sectors including those from overseas recruitment industry participating. 

The three day activities hope to employ as many workers who would fill vacancies in government emergency employment programs, sea-based and land based overseas employment and other related jobs. (PIA)