GSIS Trustees Evelina Escudero, Gilbert Sadsad and Rolando Toledo joins the first batch of graduates of the GSIS-TESDA Skills Partnership Program in Davao. (Photo from the GSIS/Michelle Muñez)
With the government keen on providing workers the skills for better opportunities of employment, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) with the aim of providing advanced training to members and pensioners to upgrade their employability.
Just recently, nineteen graduates became the first to complete special courses under GSIS-TESDA Skills Partnership Program, marking the initial milestone of the pension fund’s initiative to equip members’ and pensioners’ families with employable skills.
According to GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso, the graduation supports the Marcos administration’s advocacy of expanding technical-vocational education to create more livelihood opportunities for Filipinos by providing unemployed dependents of GSIS members and pensioners with free skills training.
“The program has been approved by the GSIS Board of Trustees and the pilot program is being implemented in three areas—bread and pastry production in Davao, automotive servicing in Cebu and cookery in Legazpi,” GM Veloso noted.
For the Davao pilot, 19 applicants completed the bread and pastry production course and are now eligible to undergo TESDA competency assessment for national certification, an industry-recognized credential that can boost their employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Veloso cited that the program is open to unemployed spouses, children or siblings of active GSIS members and pensioners who are at least 18 years old, reside within the pilot areas, and meet TESDA qualification requirements.
“The initiative demonstrates (our) commitment to improving the lives of (our) members’ families even before retirement. Most people understand the GSIS through one number: the pension waiting for them after years of service. That number matters and we work hard to protect it. But I have come to believe th(at) GSIS owes society more than that one number, even before retirement comes,” he added.
The chief implement of the government’s insurance system described the initiative as part of the GSIS’ social dividend of creating opportunities that help members’ families build better futures while their loved ones are still in government service.
“Nineteen dependents of our members and pensioners are now trained and ready to build something of their own. We did not wait for retirement to make a difference in these families. We made it now, while it could still change the shape of someone’s year, not just their old age,” he proudly announced.
In a separate statement during the graduation ceremony, GSIS trustee Evelina Escudero tagged the completion of the training of the 19 applicants demonstrates the positive impact of the decision to support the program.
“When this program was presented to the Board (of Trustees), we asked whether it would truly benefit our members and pensioners and whether it was something the GSIS could sustain. Now, we are seeing the results of that decision,” Escudero pointed out.
She said the Board is optimistic about expanding the program beyond the three pilot sites after evaluating its initial implementation.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, congratulations to all nineteen graduates. We hope the skills you have gained will open more opportunities for you, your families and your communities,” she expressed positively.
