NGCP teams up with TESDA

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have teamed up to develop certification standards for technical professionals in the power lines industry.

Both parties have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to further improve the National Certification Standards and to develop Filipinos into internationally competent technical professionals.

Under the partnership, the grid operator will fund the entire program and provide training facilities and instructors. TESDA, for its part, will provide the training module standardization, program and facility accreditation, and certification of training course graduates.

NGCP said the knowledge and competence of its personnel should also be raised as the power industry is constantly growing.

“We are delighted to be working with TESDA. The institution’s excellent reputation as the leading certification body for technical and skilled workers, and NGCP’s own track record in developing world-class professionals in the power sector, will provide greater credibility to the program and to the capability of our graduates,” NGCP president and CEO Henry Sy Jr. said.

With the agreement, TESDA will be critical in building the capacity of potential skilled workers, the NGCP official said.

“TESDA will play a major role especially in the improvement of the infrastructure industry. One major problem we experience is the lack of skilled laborers and other skilled personnel. With the infrastructure program launched by the administration, there will be a bigger demand for skilled workers. I am confident that with this partnership, we can contribute to meeting that demand. We are in a position to help, and with the support of TESDA, we will do a good job,” Sy said.

Meanwhile, the grid operator’s participation will be a big contribution to TESDA’s ultimate goal of providing skilled employment, especially to the marginalized, out-of-school youth, returning OFWs and recovering addicts, among others, TESDA director-general Guiling Mamondiong said.