[Puerto Princesa City, Palawan] – Fifty Eight (58) Bridging Employment through Skills Training (BEST) scholars received their NCII certification in different industrial trades at a graduation ceremony held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on June 19, 2013. Officials from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trade (PPSAT), Puerto Princesa City Philippine Employment Services Office (PESO), Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) and Shell Phils Exploration (SPEX) were present during the ceremony.
Thirty-eight (38) completed modules in Integrated Construction Skills-Building Operatives and 20 in Shielded Metal Arc Welding. The graduates comprise the second batch of MFI’s BEST scholars in Palawan who come from different municipalities of the province, trained in industrial trades and supplemented with classes in English proficiency, values formation and leadership skills.
Seven (7) graduates were awarded with Technical Excellence Awards, chosen for outstanding performance in Masonry NCII, Plumbing NCII, Electrical Installation & Maintenance NCII and Shielded Metal Arc Welding NCII.
In addition to certificates, the graduates were given their starter kits and tools for their chosen trades. Moreover, the scholars are linked and marketed with prospective employers to increase their chances in landing jobs.
The BEST Programme is designed to empower out-of-school youths and unemployed adults in the area where the Malampaya gas-to-power project operates. BEST provides valuable, in-demand technical-vocational skills such as welding and pipefitting. The programme is funded by Malampaya Phase 3. Malampaya Project Finance Manager Gary Cabalde was present at the graduation to represent the MP3 Project.
