LAOAG CITY —A total of 2,000 scholarship grants were awarded to Ilocos Norte students on Saturday by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
During a ceremony held at the student center of Northwestern University of Laoag, TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong urged beneficiaries to focus on taking skilled courses as these are highly in demand for immediate employment here and abroad.
Aside from the 1,500 TESDA scholarship allocation for the province, Mamondiong added an additional 500 upon request of Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas of the First District of Ilocos Norte.
He added that TESDA will allocate some funds for the establishment of a dormitory for the Bangui Institute of Technology, where scholars may stay free of charge.
Mamondiong added that those who come from remote areas will no longer have to shell out money for transportation expenses during the course of the training.
An earlier survey showed graduates of TESDA were able to get employment within a year unlike college graduates who may take an average of three years before getting employed.
Under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, TESDA is also mandated to facilitate immediate employment of graduates.
“After the graduation of scholarship beneficiaries, aalamin din namin kung kayo ay umunlad na. Kasi ang bagong mandato ng TESDA ngayon ay sumusuporta sa ating pangulong Duterte na may malasakit at pagbabago,” Mamondiong said.
One of TESDA scholar-graduates, Gilbert Domingo, a holder of Housekeeping National Certificate II, said he is grateful for the opportunity given him as he is now reaping the fruits of his sacrifices.
“I am thankful to TESDA and to all my instructors for trusting me and for pushing me to do my best,” said Domingo.
He urged other scholars to study hard and to never give up in times of difficulties. PNA-northboundasia.com