TO FURTHER upskill workers and strengthen the customer service sector in region 3, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority partnered with the SM Foundation, Inc.

TESDA and SMFI, together with the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region III, signed an apprenticeship program agreement last November 19 under the Enterprise-Based Training for the qualification Customer Services NC II.

Dubbed as “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Enterprise-Based Training in Customer Service NCII,” the program aims to strengthen the qualifications of the Filipino workforce and ultimately address various employment issues in the customer service sector.

TESDA director general Isidro Lapeña highlighted the importance of the public-private partnership in upskilling Filipinos especially during the pandemic. He noted the long-standing partnership of TESDA and SMFI in implementing technical and vocational education and training in the country.

“This collaboration will further improve our TVET programs as they allow our trainees to experience actual enterprise training in SM Markets such as SM Supermarket, Hypermarket, Savemore, and at SM Supermalls,” Lapeña said.

“Through this program, our learners will not only expand their skills and knowledge but will also be confident enough to explore bigger opportunities as soon as they complete their training,” he added.

TESDA and SMFI have been collaborating in providing quality TVET programs to Filipinos. One of these was providing agriculture training to farmers in Davao City.

TESDA Region III Regional Director Balmyrson Valdez expressed his gratitude to SMFI and partner government agencies for the implementation of the program.

“Rest assured that we will render our utmost support and commitment to ensure the attainment of the goals of this project,” Valdez said.