By: Richmon Timuat
Jobseekers flocked to the World Café of Opportunities (WCO) event hosted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Catanduanes on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. The World Café of Opportunities took place at the Plaza Rizal covered court, starting at 8:00 AM and lasting until 5:00 PM.
This event coincided with the celebration of TESDA’s 29th Founding Anniversary, featuring the annual National Tech Voc Day. The activity attracted jobseekers, with eleven (11) employers offering job opportunities to the residents of Catanduanes.
The event was made possible through the collaboration of various agency partners, such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Provincial Local Government of Catanduanes, Local Government Unit of Virac, Congressional District Office, TGP Partylist, and the Philippine Information Agency – Catanduanes, among others.
Among those in attendance were Governor Joseph Cua, CatSU President Patrick Azanza, Provincial Director Arcangel Rodriguez, and Cabugao TESDA training school’s Elpidio Tuburo, each of whom delivered messages of support for the program and attendees.
Provincial Director Rodriguez expressed heartfelt gratitude to the participating agencies for breathing life into the event, particularly for jobseekers. He emphasized that through their collective efforts, they were able to fulfill their mandate of providing training and employment opportunities to the citizens.
Apart from this activity, Rodriguez mentioned that they have several upcoming training programs and activities, including ongoing technical training at Cabugao TESDA and accredited TVET schools throughout the province.
Rodriguez encouraged the youth, particularly those interested in short-term training courses, to take advantage of TESDA’s offerings, which are key to finding employment and gaining knowledge in vocational courses.
The World Café of Opportunities is a nationwide jobs fair held simultaneously across the country. In the Bicol Region, it was first launched in the province of Catanduanes and was followed by other provinces in the region. One of its primary objectives is to provide quick access to job opportunities for TVET graduates.
