The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Regional Training Center (TESDA RTC), is conducting the Small Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) National Certificate (NC) I Training Program for TUPAD beneficiaries under Project GEM’s WE CARE Together Program.
Implemented at the CBSUA Agriville and Learning Hub, the training began on May 6, 2026, and is held every Thursday and Friday for 17 weeks, covering a total of 268 training hours. TESDA RTC serves as the training provider, delivering competency-based instruction in accordance with national training standards.
TESDA trainer Christopher Nero leads the sessions, which cover occupational safety and health, welding tools and equipment, metal preparation, welding techniques, and fabrication. Participants are expected to undergo the TESDA National Competency Assessment upon completion of the training to qualify for the SMAW NC I certification.
As part of the practical training, beneficiaries are fabricating a 4-meter by 11-meter structure at the Agriville and Learning Hub that will house a cold storage facility and an egg incubator for the University’s Agrivoltaic Program. The activity allows participants to apply the welding skills they acquire through actual construction work.
The training reaffirms the continuing collaboration among CBSUA, DOLE, and TESDA to provide TUPAD beneficiaries with technical skills that may open opportunities for employment, self-employment, and other livelihood activities. | 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘷𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘛𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭, 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘑𝘢𝘺𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢
