Majority flood leader Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra “Sweet” Advincula, chairperson of Rules, Privileges, Laws, and Ordinances of the City Council of Davao, is exploring the possibility of establishing a state-run assessment and testing center in Davao City called Community Skills Training, Livelihood, and Entrepreneurship Program (CSTEP).
In partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Davao City District Office and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) – city government of Davao, the center aims to help the city address underemployment and employment gaps in the local communities.
“It will help determine kung unsa ang demand na training sa mga tao. Maka-partner pud ta sa agencies nato. Karon when it comes to employment mangita na ug NC certificates ug ang LGU pud ang magdala, makatabang pud ang LGU to address this employment gap,” Advincula said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Thursday.
TESDA did a benchmarking of CSTEP in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, last year as part of the Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Devolution.
The local government unit (LGU) of Panabo is the only city in the Province of Davao Del Norte to ‘institutionalize’ the said program.
Along with TESDA-Davao are its committees related to livelihood and economic development, including PESO Davao City, Department of Trade and Industry 11 (DTI 11), and Information and Communication Technology 11 (ICT 11).
The activity was highlighted with the planning and implementation of CSTEP and the introduction of the Panabo City Skills Training and Assessment Center.
“Naa na pud ang other LGUs like Monkayo, and last June nagbenchmark ang TESDA sa Bukidnon,” Advincula said.
According to Advincula, with the establishment of the said center, the city can determine what training is in demand with the people, now in partnership with other agencies.
“Maka upskill pud ta and provide programs nga accessible sa tanan apil ang PWDs and marginalized groups ug uban pang mga estbalishments na naginahanglan ug workers nga naay igong certification. Makigpartner ta ani sa mga businesses and industries and demand in the labor market,” she said.
Advincula is hopeful that the establishment of the center will be included in the programs and plans of acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
“Happy pud ko kay ang TESDA ug ang PESO gusto pud makatabang sa atoa kung unsaon pag-establish ani puhon sa Davao City,” she said.
