65 Hedcor scholars in Bukidnon finish TESDA courses

FUTURE READY. Graduates of the NC II Certificate for Bamboo Production, Masonry and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) with MFTSDC trainers and Hedcor family.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) together with the Manolo Fortich Public Employment Service Office (PESO) held its first-ever graduation rites since the onset of the pandemic, honoring 130 TESDA scholars in a simple but meaningful ceremony.

Of the 130 graduates, 65 are scholars of Aboitiz Foundation and Hedcor. 25 community members from Barangay Santiago have completed one-month Certificate in Bamboo Production NC II and 40 youths from Barangay Guilang-Guilang have completed three-months Certificate in Masonry NC II and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II.

Bamboo Production NC II graduates were equipped with knowledge of bamboo nursery operations and establishing a bamboo farm; as well as safety measures and operating simple equipment utilizing various tools. After successfully completing the course, Hedcor awarded the Santiago Diversified Farmers Association (SANDIVFA) with a financial grant of P390,000 for the second phase of the livelihood project where trainees will upgrade their skills and learn about conducting bamboo clump rehabilitation, harvesting and post-harvesting operations.

Meanwhile, the Masonry NC II and SMAW NC II graduates went through skills training to increase their chances of employability. Hedcor also hired the said scholars to construct their barangay's covered court perimeter fence upon successful completion of the TESDA courses.

Aside from scholarship, the graduates under Aboitiz Foundation and Hedcor scholarship also received a daily allowance and free training in farming skills, safety measures and equipment operations. They also received assistance such as personal protective equipment; tools and equipment; and bamboo seedlings.

In his message as the event's keynote speaker, Hedcor President and COO Rolando Pacquiao congratulated the graduates and encourage them to utilize their NC II certification and emphasized the importance of skill in the job market, “The greatest challenge to you after this graduation will be beyond the four walls of your training institution, the application of the skills you have learned in TESDA, whether by becoming an employee or an entrepreneur. Skills remain to be the global currency up to this time. Skills are the key to get hired, hard earned skills and training.”

Pacquiao added that the Aboitiz Foundation's support will not end here, "We will continuously do our best to help you, directly or indirectly, your communities, and more youth nationwide. I hope that this relationship becomes two-way because we need your contribution and commitment to be able to advance business and communities."

Before the year ends, community members from Barangay Lingion in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon will be gifted with TESDA scholarship from the Aboitiz Foundation and Hedcor as it continues to wade on leading the community to a path where dreams come true and its vision of safe, empowered and sustainable communities is attainable.