CEBU, Philippines - Five years after opening, a training center based in Barangay Poblacion, Compostela town has produced highly-trained welders, automotive, housekeeping and other workers who are now working here and abroad.
Most of these workers are hired by big business and industrial establishments in Manila and also in other countries.
St. James Academy of Skills Technology Inc. established linkages with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and local government units in Cebu in helping out-of-school youths and train them with vocational courses, according to its president Brian Cabajar Yuson.
Out-of-school youths in the four towns of Camotes Island are the beneficiaries of the training under the program of TESDA. They enrolled at St. James Academy Skills Technology, Inc, Yuson added.
Yuson founded the school last May 2009 hoping to continue helping out-of-school youths not only in Compostela town but also neighboring cities and municipalities.
Yuson said his technical experience and formal education and training in the field of metals and engineering technology, especially in welding program and other related technology, help him in running the school.
Yuson told The FREEMAN that five years ago, after he resigned from the company he was employed, he decided to open a school of his own where he can share his talents to others, especially the out-of-school youths.
He said when it started, the school offered various technical and vocational programs in the metals and engineering, construction, mechanical, machining and automotive technologies, garments and fashion design, information technology, all of which are duly registered with TESDA.
According to Yuson, they are committed to produce highly skilled, competent individuals who are trained and fully qualified to meet the challenges of the global job market.
He further said that this is bold initial step towards realizing his dream of putting up a full-service university in the town of Compostela as its home base and its services extending initially to its neighboring towns of northern Cebu and also those coming from other areas.
St. James Academy of Skills Technology, Inc. is duly accredited by TESDA as an assessment and trade training center for the various technological qualifications in welding, pipefitting, housekeeping and household services, ICT, pipefitting, carpentry, machining and many other technical qualifications.
The said training school is also very well involved as a registered mobile classroom training provider by TESDA.
Yuson stressed that they also continuously uphold the standards set forth by both the industry concerned and TESDA.
As part of their expansion, they will soon open a branch in Bocutan, Parañaque in Metro Manila. — Jose P. Sollano (FREEMAN)