Women dominate 2011 TESDA graduates

MANILA, Philippines - Who says masonry and welding are only for men?

More women are now taking up welding and other previously known “male courses” and even completing their study with flying colors, the Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) reported.

TESDA said women students now dominate the 2011 graduates who underwent government-funded skills training and specialization in various fields.

“About 90 percent of this year’s 322 graduates are women… completing the Competency-Based Training Program for the 3rd quarter of 2010 and the 1st quarter of 2011 at the TESDA Women’s Center (TWC),” TESDA director general Joel Villanueva said. He said the graduates received their certificates of training for being TESDA specialists in masonry, carpentry, welding and construction painting.

According to Villanueva, the trainings not only empower women to be self-reliant, but also make them advocates of gender and development issues as well.

“Our women scholars have trodden fields never before imagined to be women’s world. Now we have female welders, automotive specialists and skilled electronic workers. They have taken the challenge offered by TESDA and hurdled it successfully,” Villanueva said.

Clad in blue shirts and pink sashes with TWC print (Tesda Women Center), the graduates marched on stage as they received the training certificates that would arm them as they embark on a new life, which is landing an employment.

Debbie Espinosa, one of the graduates, broke into tears as she recalled what her life was like before her batchmates and Tesda officials.

“I am an undergraduate who could not even help my parents financially,” she started. “Until one day me and my sister saw Tesda and decided to undergo training. After all, there’s nothing to lose.”

Debbie, a food and beverage trainee, and her sister Diane were recently hired by the Bellevue Hotel Manila, where their on-the-job training was held. Debbie is now a hotel receptionist.

The crowd applaud and cried as Debbie spoke. One mother was even overheard as saying: “I hope my daughter lands the same luck.”

Villanueva congratulated the graduates and egged them to use what they have learned in the training center to land better jobs.

I hope you will not forget that in every commencement are beginnings. This signifies your personal growth... Graduates, seize this opportunity,” Villanueva said.

But before they embark on a new journey, lawyer Teodoro Pascua, Tesda’s director general for field operations, reminded to make themselves “noble” in whatever path they will take.” – Mayen Jaymalin, Aie Balagtas See, and Katrina Buganan