Republic Cement Group has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in training new welders.
Through the group’s community development initiatives, 147 graduates of its Iligan Plant’s skills training program recently received National Certificates II (NC II) in shielded and arc welding from the Tesda.
“Republic Cement is firmly committed to the development of our host communities, including providing relevant skills training that can translate into employment opportunities both here and abroad,” said Renato Sunico, president of Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc.
The newly certified welders represent the second batch of trainees under the program implemented in partnership with Tesda. The project mostly benefits indigent and unemployed members from barangays Kiwalan and Acmac in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.
Scholars get 324 hours of intensive training for which they receive a certificates.
NC II is part of Tesda’s Technical Vocational Education Training Qualification and Certification System, which validates that its program graduates are equipped with the technical aptitude in all relevant competency requirements and standards prescribed by the industry.
Aside from offering livelihood opportunities, the program promotes equal opportunity and gender diversity, having trained over 20 women in shielded and arc welding, a traditionally male-dominated field.
Sunico said the group’s partnership with Tesda is part of its capability-building efforts to expand the local pool of skilled contractors for its expansion requirements.
He added that most of the welding contractors currently servicing Republic Cement’s Iligan Plant are graduates of the skills training program.
“Our skills training program is one way for us to contribute to the communities’ overall well-being,” he remarked.