SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go recognized the role of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and vowed to support the agency’s programs to strengthen the country’s workforce.

At the mass graduation of the Philippine Academy of Technical Studies, Inc. under the TESDA in Daet, Camarines Norte, Go lauded initiatives that provide more Filipinos with the opportunities to acquire valuable skills to uplift their lives and contribute to the economy.

“TESDA has played a crucial role in empowering our workforce and helping your graduates achieve their educational and career goals, especially amid the pandemic,” he said.

He added that investing in education and training will help prepare the country’s workforce.

“By providing support to those who have lost their jobs, investing in education and training, and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, we can help ensure that the workforce is prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the post-pandemic world,” the senator said.

Go noted that the impact of the pandemic on the country’s workforce has been profound given that a number of Filipinos workers have either lost their jobs or have been forced to adjust to new ways of earning a living for their families.

While the country is on the right track towards recovery, he said that one of the key challenges that the government must face is to further rebuild and strengthen the workforce amid existing and emerging threats.

To achieve this, Go underscored the need for a combination of short-term measures to support those who have lost their jobs, as well as long-term strategies to prepare the workforce for the changing needs of the economy.

The senator pointed out that both public and the private sector will need to invest in training and education programs that can help workers to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to contribute and succeed in these fields.

The senator then called on the public and private sector to continue their partnerships in order to promote a conducive environment for entrepreneurship.