MANILA, Philippines - The AES Philippines’ Community-Based Livelihood and Skills Training Center recently produced its first batch of graduates and awarded them with Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) certificates, as they successfully passed the two-month training on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW).
The basic welding course is one of the most successful livelihood training seminars; and with the program only requiring 24 hours of training, the AES Philippines’ Training Center aims to provide quarterly classes.
During the commencement program of the facility’s pioneer batch of welders, Zambales Vice-Governor and PESO manager Ramon Lacbain II said that the demand for welding skills in the country and abroad is getting higher due to rising industry demands that require such skills. “The municipality of Masinloc is very lucky to have been provided with a fully-equipped training facility by AES Philippines. With support from companies like AES Philippines, I can envision Zambales as a primary source of skilled individuals in the country,†he said.
“Programs such as these underscore our steadfast commitment to being part of the Masinloc community and our resolve to make a positive difference in the lives of people,†said Kevin Pierce, plant manager of the Masinloc Power Facility, a power plant based in Masinloc, Zambales operated by the Philippine subsidiary of global energy company, the AES Corporation.