MANILA -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Region 11 (Davao Region) is planning to train more soldiers to become skills trainers in various construction courses, an official said on Thursday.
"We had a meeting earlier this month with the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and we agreed to strengthen partnership to enhance the implementation of skills training programs. Among the initiatives is to train soldiers to become trainers," said TESDA Region 11 director Lorenzo Macapili.
After providing skills training to the soldiers, Macapili said they will be taught to become trainers so they could impart the knowledge and skills to those who are in remote areas.
The TESDA has trained a total of 19 soldiers from the 52nd Engineer Brigade of the Philippine Army earlier this month. They received their certificates in Carpentry NC (National Certificate) II, Masonry NC II and Tile Setting NC II last March 11.
"We plan to conduct the Trainers' Training starting May. We need to increase the number of skilled soldiers first," Macapili said.
He said the soldiers' training would be an ongoing activity of TESDA-11.
Meanwhile, Macapili said among the target beneficiaries of TESDA in training the soldiers are indigenous people in far-flung areas.
The TESDA has been prioritizing the training in construction-related skills to help the government's "Build, Build, Build" program. (PNA)
