TESDA turns to FindWork app to help staff for ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure projects

THE government’s job skills training agency said it has tied up with FindWork Philippines, a human resources consulting firm, to match employers participating in the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program with qualified candidates via a mobile application.

“More than half of the workforce are skilled workers and half of that are TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) graduates or even TESDA certified,” said FindWork Country Manager Rommel Torres in an interview with BusinessWorld.

He added, “There are many employers who go directly to TESDA and now there is a facility to help them match jobs with available workers.”

FindWork is offering a free mobile application, also known as FindWork, targeted at skilled jobseekers, after signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with TESDA on Aug. 28. It said 2.1 million graduates and 2 million upcoming graduates of TESDA’s programs have been entered into the app database.

He said the app follows FindWork’s preliminary consultations with construction companies to gauge their labor requirements.

Mr. Torres said more than half of TESDA’s construction-related students are learning welding but added that masonry and carpentry are in demand.

FindWork also has partnerships with Local Government Units (LGUs) for local jobs, particularly in Taguig, whose policy is to maintain a work force consisting of 30% Taguig residents at least.

FindWork claims over 40,000 users for the app with a 30% success rate, and works with 500 companies who formerly recruited via manpower agencies. The app allows more direct hiring.

FindWork has a free data tie-up with Smart Communications for app users. —