Free courses, training offered

A labor federation is addressing the job-skills mismatch problem in Cebu with the opening yesterday of a  training center at the port area.

The Associated Labor Union Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) Workers Training Center Foundation Inc. provides free technical and vocational courses primarily for trade union members and workers, including their immediate family and friends, said Arturo Barrit, officer in charge of the Workers Training Center in Region 7.

“We are not only concentrating on  the immediate family members of trade union workers. Likewise, we welcome friends and people we know,” said Barrit.

He said Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda)  accredited the center in the second week of April.

For now, the center is offering two courses—the wellness program (hilot) and training for call center agents.

“Maybe later on we will add housekeeping because it’s very promising and in-demand service by hotels and resorts in the city and province,” said Barrit.

Each class is a four-hour session from Mondays to Saturdays.

“There are three sessions in a day: one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening,” Barrit said.

Barrit said that the vocational course is equivalent to 120 hours, which covers a month’s training.

Each session will have from 25 to 30 students because “it’s (training) is hands on.”

For the call center training course, the center has 27 brand-new computer units and its a Wi-fi zone and Internet ready.

Barrit said the center would also help the graduates of the training center to get jobs.

Interested applicants will undergo a qualifying exam prior to acceptance.

“As long as they pass the assessment, they will be accepted,” added Barrit.

Applicants should also be from 18 years old to 55 years old. They should be  physically and emotionally fit and should pass the exams.

For the call center training course applicants, they should be able to communicate in oral and written English and they should be college-level students.

The training center is located at the 2nd floor of the JSU-PSU Mariners Court at Pier 1, Cebu City.