Alcantara-led Alsons Power Group Partners with TESDA for Technical Skills Enhancement in Mindanao
Alcantara-led Alsons Power Group has announced a partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to enhance the capacity of technically-skilled workers in Mindanao, with a focus on the SOCSKSARGEN region. This initiative is aimed at meeting the increasing demand for skilled workers, particularly in the technical-vocational (tech-voc) sphere of education in the region.
The partnership between Alsons Power, TESDA, and local governments in the area is expected to provide free training and education to at least 1,800 individuals from Mindanao over the next two years.
Ruben G. Tungpalan, Vice President of Alsons Power, emphasized the company’s commitment to investing in technical and vocational training for residents, stating that it is a manifestation of their brand promise to “Power with Care” and to unlock the potential of the Mindanaoans by offering opportunities for employment or entrepreneurship.
With roughly 40% of the 22 million Filipinos living below the poverty line in Mindanao, the need to expand employment opportunities for its people is critical. Alsons Power stressed the importance of skilled workers in a region experiencing growth in economic zones and industrial centers, with increased economic activity and opportunities for employment.
The company cited a 2021 study from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that emphasized the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in developing graduates with in-demand technical skills and essential soft skills needed for the job market.
Given its significant business operations in Mindanao, Alsons Power stated that it understands the need to bridge the skills gap between industries and the labor workforce, and is committed to stepping up its community development efforts to build the capabilities of the residents in its host communities.
In 2021, the company plans to focus on talent development to meet the growing demand for a skilled workforce capable of adapting to a changing economic environment in the region.
