DOLE offers free job assessment, certification for May 1

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will offer free job assessment and certification for poor but deserving students on Thursday. Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said the activity is part of this year's Labor Day celebration with the theme "Manggagawang Pinoy: Kasangga sa Pagsulong ng Kaunlaran." Roque said the "PGMA Free Assessment Services sa TESDA (PGMA-FAST)" is a special project under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to "broaden access of poor but deserving students, or workers to our assessment and certification services." According to Roque, Poor students and job seekers would be given job-fitness certification as an additional credential. They would also be assessed to determine their proper job qualification level. Roque said Filipino workers should be properly assessed and certified for employment competence. The TESDA will conduct its "Youth Profiling for Starting Careers (YP4SC)" to provide career guidance and counseling to both students and adults and increase awareness about their strengths to help them select the appropriate course based on their interest, aptitude and potential. He said that during the nationwide Labor Day celebrations, PGMA-FAST services on computer operations would also be made available in regional areas across the country. Those unable to avail of the first come-first serve assessment and certification services maybe scheduled and processed through the regular PGMA-FAST program at the TESDA headquarters. Applicants for the free PGMA-FAST must accomplish the application form and bring appropriate credentials like computer training certificate, employment certificate, passport sized pictures with white background and ball pen. Inquiries maybe made with TESDA at telephone no. 888-5646 (for PGMA-FAST), main trunkline no. 817-4076, or Internet website at www.tesda.gov.ph. - GMANews.TV