image source: https://thepinoyofw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/tesda-main-office.jpg
DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and industry partner WrkPod graduated 391 scholars from a near-hire Global Virtual Assistant training program, creating a direct pipeline to business process outsourcing and digital support jobs under the government’s Training for Work Scholarship Program.
The 144-hour course used an Enterprise-Based Education and Training framework designed to link instruction with immediate employment readiness.
The program received P2.4 million in funding through the Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program.
“The government has funded P2.4 million for the TTSP scholarship to address skills gaps and unemployment in this particular training program,” Flecher Gumahad said.
TESDA and WrkPod said the initiative addresses labor gaps in the BPO and IT sectors while supporting the country’s digital transformation agenda. The training focused on virtual assistant roles, which offer both work-from-home and office-based opportunities.
Under the near-hire model, scholars were identified as prospective WrkPod employees, allowing training to match actual industry needs and shorten the path to hiring.
“But one of the biggest challenges is talent-finding … the talent that our clients are looking for,” Kody Thompson said. “We want to be part of the solution in Dumaguete and beyond to help prepare candidates to get those jobs.”
The graduates came from five institutions: Silliman University, 100; Foundation University, 75; People Skills Management Institute, 41; Philippine Call Center Institute, 100; and Fritz-Gibbon Academy of Skills and Trades Inc., 75.
“I am so thankful to TESDA and WrkPod for providing me this opportunity to get a job, as well as discover my skills as a virtual assistant,” Anika Puno said.
WrkPod said it operates in nine locations across the Negros Island Region and Central Visayas and aims to create 10,000 jobs in the Visayas.
“With the type of training that we have, they can also secure work from home, and then they can also seek jobs from BPOs,” Luchie Stemper said.
TESDA said the program highlights how industry-led training can speed up hiring and expand access to digital jobs.