IBA, Zambales — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) conducted a partnership dialogue with Seatrium Subic Shipyard Inc. and their employee-volunteer group, The Wave Makers, to discuss programs and services that support local skills development and employment.
This aims to update partners on ongoing joint initiatives with Seatrium, explore wider collaboration on employment facilitation and specialized skills training, and identify possible projects on women empowerment and community engagement activities, which are key advocacies of the volunteer group.
TESDA Provincial Training Center (PTC) Iba Center Administrator Eugene Peñaranda said the dialogue reinforced the shared direction of the partners.
“Through this meaningful dialogue with Seatrium and The Wave Makers, we strengthen our shared commitment to expanding quality skills training, creating greater employment opportunities for our graduates, and advancing community-centered and inclusive TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) initiatives in Zambales,” he said.
Peñaranda opened the program with an overview of the center’s profile, services, and accomplishments. Seatrium Subic Shipyard HR Manager Alex Caoleng followed with a presentation on the company’s programs, manpower needs, and its continuing partnership with TESDA.
The Singapore delegation then introduced Seatrium’s operations, career profiles, and community initiatives.
A key outcome of the dialogue was the agreement to further strengthen the partnership through the continued conduct of local recruitment activities at PTC Iba, allowing qualified graduates to be systematically pooled and screened for possible deployment to various positions within Seatrium.
This arrangement supports the shared goal of maintaining a consistent employment pipeline that responds to industry needs.
Trainees and graduates also shared testimonials on how technical-vocational education contributed to their livelihood and career development, underscoring the importance of skills training.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Welding, Electrical, Carpentry, and Automotive workshops, where the delegation viewed the center’s training facilities.
