THE TECHNICAL  Education and Skills Development Authority urged anew local government units to avail of its free contact tracing training program as the country fights a new surge in Covid19 cases.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña last year ordered the registration of more health-related programs and tasked the agency’s Qualifications and Standards Office to develop competency standards on contact tracing.

He directed the TESDA Technology Institutions nationwide to partner with barangay health centers, local government units, Philippine Red Cross, and the Department of Health.

In September last year, TESDA started offering free contact tracing training to support the country’s fight against Covid19.

So far, at least 332 TESDA scholars have completed their training on Contact Tracing Level II.

Lapeña expressed optimism that contact tracing training will benefit communities particularly in the barangay level.

“It is through this program that we can produce more graduates for the LGUs to utilize as contact tracers who will work to prevent the spread of coronavirus in their respective barangays,” he said.

The training program, which was developed with the help of the Health Human Resources Development Bureau of the DoH and health industry experts, runs for 15 days.

Trainees must have at least 10 years of basic education or holders of Alternative Learning System certificates and basic communication skills.

Trainees will be given an allowance of P2,400 for the entire training duration, insurance coverage, and additional allowance to cover internet expenses and personal protective equipment. The graduates may apply in LGUs of their choice for possible employment after their training.