Through the initiative and leadership of TESDA Marinduque Provincial Director Zoraida V. Amper, the office conducted the first virtual orientation on Enhancing Employment Opportunities for TVET Graduates Through Access to Financial Assistance on October 26, 2022.

The orientation was attended by TESDA graduates in the province from various qualifications such as Bread and Pastry, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Organic Agriculture Production, Food Processing, Driving, Computer Systems Servicing to name a few.

Among TESDA’s priority is to ensure employment of its graduates, and one way of realizing this is through strengthening and nourishing partnership with industry partners and agencies. Resource speakers from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Livelihood Manpower Development – Public Employment Service Office (LMD-PESO) were among the presenter in this half day activity. They introduced their agency’s programs and possible financial assistance that may be extended to TVET graduates for livelihood ventures. Ms. Beverly R. Rodil discussed the Presby with LAv Program, a loan program undertaken by the Provincial Government of Marinduque to assist in the financial needs of Marinduqueńos. Meanwhile, speaker from the Department of Labor and Employment Mr. Christian Mark L. Rodelas talked about DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Programs (DILEEP). It is one of the DOLE’s flagship programs that opens economic opportunities to the vulnerable and marginalized workers by providing them access to grant assistance for capacity building on entrepreneurial ventures, for either individual or group undertaking. Our guest speaker from CDA Ms. Russhel Z. Belarmino, gave an overview on cooperatives. On her welcome message to the participants, PD Amper said that this activity was conceptualized to achieve the end goal of every training in TESDA, the employment of graduates. She further emphasized that if they were not fortunate to be wage employed individuals, one can be self-employed empowered by the learnings and skills they acquire from TESDA to start their own livelihood