THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority have allowed the holding of more technical vocational education and training

qualification trainings and assessments in areas placed under General Community Quarantine.

The two agencies said this is to help reskill and upskill Filipino workers and to address the massive lay-offs brought about by the closure of businesses due to the pandemic.

“With our continued efforts to reopen more sectors, there is a need for more skilled workers certified by TESDA. The government, through agencies such as DTI and TESDA, is committed to ensuring that our fellow Filipinos are equipped with the needed competencies to adjust to this ‘new normal’,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

“I am thankful to DTI for granting our request to open more programs for our kababayans. We really wanted to offer more training opportunities for our people, especially those who were displaced from their jobs, including our repatriated OFWs.  Even with the ongoing pandemic, with the right skills, there is a possibility for new employment and livelihood,” he said.

In April, the unemployment rate hit a record 17.7 percent, translating to 7.3 million Filipinos without jobs. This figure eased to 8.7 percent or 3.8 million workers in October.

An assessment held by the DTI in September showed that only 5 percent of businesses remain closed from 35 percent in June.

Allowing more face-to-face trainings and competency assessments will also assist those who are looking for opportunities abroad.

Trainings allowed were on construction; construction-related, including electrical installation and maintenance, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas welding, and shielded metal arc welding; electrical and electronics, such as computer systems servicing and solar-powered lighting and mobile phone charging kit; garments and textiles, including dressmaking, face mask making, and tailoring; land transportation, particularly driving; and health.

Meanwhile, face-to-face competency assessments for the following sectors can be conducted: automotive; electrical and electronics; furniture and fixtures; heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration; garments and textiles; construction; health, social and other community development services; information and communication technology; land transportation; language and culture; maritime; metals and engineering; visual arts; tourism (hotel and restaurant);TVET; and, wholesale and retail trading.

“This unified effort of DTI and TESDA is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of our fellow Filipinos to provide them more employment opportunities and increased income so that they may succeed in the post-pandemic future,” Lopez said.