Ang Pahayagan

MANILA – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) hopes to enhance its shipbuilding course by partnering with Korean firm HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, an executive said Wednesday.

The two parties have signed a memorandum of understanding during the Philippines-Korea Business Forum in Pasay City last March 4.

“The partnership would focus on shipbuilding curricula review and enhancement,” TESDA Public Information Office Director Floramel Joy Songsong told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

The two may collaborate on the development, review and enhancement of technical training curricula relevant to shipbuilding and related technologies, according to TESDA.

Songsong explained that since the shipbuilding industry is broad, there are no specific deliverables for both parties yet since an action plan is yet to be developed. The timeline and priorities will be included in the action plan, she said.

Songsong said TESDA hopes to expand and update its shipbuilding course through the MOU that is good for five years.

She said HD Hyundai has shipyard operations in Subic.

“By partnering with TESDA, they will have a ready pool of prospective workers that are skilled according to their needs as Hyundai helps develop the curriculum, standards according to the requirements of their industry,” she explained.

“The partnership with HD Hyundai highlights the importance of aligning skills training with the needs of industry. By bringing training closer to the workplace and aligning programs with industry demand, we are helping ensure that our graduates’ transition seamlessly into quality jobs,” TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez was quoted in a news release. (PNA)