LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Some 100 deserving students will be the pilot beneficiaries of the free skills education offered by the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC), which opens classes in the last week of March 2024.
“We will admit 100 for the first two months,” PPC President Raymundo Rovillos said, citing that the courses offered will be completed in a span of one to two months.
The PPC aims to contribute to the realization of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan’s 2022-2031 Strategic Plan to develop the province’s human capital as it envisions addressing the huge gap between higher education training and industry needs.
According to Dr. Rovillos, PPC’s CeLL will serve as a platform for continuing talent development through short-term yet intensive vocational and technical courses such as the TESDA qualifications and microcredential courses.
Furthermore, PPC will aim to further democratize higher education by increasing the poor’s access to higher education. Hence, it will prioritize courses on Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Driving NC II, Driving (Passenger Bus/Straight Truck) NC III and Automotive Servicing NC I.
Also, the PPC CeLL will subsequently target to offer various in-demand technical-vocational courses such as Cookery NC II, Masonry NC I, Heavy Equipment Operation (Forklift) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Bulldozer) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Rigid Off-Highway Dump Truck) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Rigid On-Highway Dump Truck) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Wheel Loader) NC II, Housekeeping NC II, Food and Beverages Services NC II, Bookkeeping NC II, Front Office Services NC II, Organic Agriculture Production NC II, Rice Machinery Operations NC II, Dressmaking NC II, Tailoring NC II, Beauty Care (Nail Enhancement Technology) NC II, Hilot (Wellness Massage) NC II, Slaughtering Operation (Large Animal) NC II, Slaughtering Operation (Swine) NC II, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC I, Masonry NC II, Public Employment Services NC II and Public Employment Services NC IV.
As regards the teaching force, Dr. Rovillos said the best instructors are chosen to share their expertise and ensure that the learners will be equipped with the right skills and knowledge when they leave the institution.
In addition, the PPC interim president commended the leadership of Governor Ramon V. Guico III whom he described as a visionary leader.
Governor Guico, on the other hand, disclosed that the funding requirements of the PPC, such as the salaries of instructors and other expenses, will come from the government’s fund, and hopefully, with the help of other sectors and private individuals through acts of volunteerism, more funds will be solicited.
The province, according to the governor, is also making use of what it has, further citing that government facilities should be utilized wisely. A perfect example of this is the newly-opened PPC CeLL which used to be a restaurant in the past administration.
Also included in the physical plan for PPC is the conversion of a former restaurant located beside the lagoon located at the NRSCC complex into skills laboratory. (Ruby R. Bernardino/PIMRO)
