Reskilling, upskilling crucial amid pandemic

BUSINESSES require focus on reskilling and upskilling their people for them to adapt to changes, especially those brought about by the pandemic.

Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), the training arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, is eyeing at sector development, identifying in-demand skills, as well as necessary expertise and competencies responsive to the industry’s needs.

“We have seen a lot of changes; [a lot has] happened because of the [health crisis],” PTTC Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera said. “A lot of new in-demand skills came out…from the pandemic, digital transformation and all these things.”

She said industry players themselves are involved in the development of training courses or modules.

Rosalina Constantino, executive director at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, said “Tulong Trabaho [Job Assistance]” is the latest addition to the agency’s scholarship programs that seek to reskill and upskill target beneficiaries, including employed workers.

“We have actually revisited the implementing guidelines in order to integrate the new normal arrangements in [implementing the] Tulong Trabaho scholarship, and in order to provide additional assistance to affected industries and displaced workers due to the…pandemic,” Constantino said.

“Coverage of the training program…funded under the scholarship…shall include industry-specific and area-based skills requirements proposed by [firms], industry groups, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises [MSMES],” she added. “This allows the private sector to really have a say in determining…the priority areas that need particular attention when it comes to trade.”

Constantino said Tulong Trabaho can help MSMES as target beneficiaries, including employed workers seeking skilling, upskilling or reskilling. It also equips workers with know-how in emerging and new industries, and provides them with high-level technical skills, according to her.