LAOAG CITY - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) announced Thursday that free skills training will be rolled out in underserved communities in Ilocos Sur to hasten its economic recovery amid the pandemic.

After a meeting with local government officials led by Mayor Pablito Sanidad in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, TESDA Provincial Director Joel Pilotin said various skills training would be provided to interested residents in at least four far-flung barangays of Narvacan where the participants will be given a chance to start their own business or learn new skills for alternative livelihood.

"The four barangays were identified as recipients of the program for being on the list (of areas) with armed conflicts," Pilotin said. Lanipao, Cadacad (Sitio Barangubong), and Marozo (Sitio Mata) are among the barangays where the trainings will be held.

In partnership with the local government unit, accredited TESDA trainers will reach out to the local communities to provide hands-on training on welding that would last 34 days, service motors for small vehicles for 18 days, bread and pastry baking for 10 days, and cookery for 28 days.

To be enlisted in the program with 60 available slots, interested applicants aged 18 years and above may register at the nearest barangay or the Narvacan municipal hall.

According to TESDA, all successful applicants will be given a PHP160 allowance per day and PHP500 worth of personal protective equipment.

The agency will also provide PHP100,000 worth of life insurance and PHP10,000 worth of accidental coverage while enrolled in the skills training program.

All successful graduates in the program will be given a National Certificate II once they pass the assessment.

A second-level certificate can be used as a credential when applying for work, both locally and abroad.

To reach out to more individuals, particularly the unemployed and marginalized sectors, a satellite office of TESDA has been proposed to be established in Narvacan.

Backing this move, Sanidad pledged to provide a lot where the TESDA satellite office may be constructed in the future. (PNA)