Governor eyes overseas seasonal job for residents
NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has pledged additional provincial funding to expand skills development and technical-vocational (TVET) programs in Nueva Vizcaya, with training to be implemented through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Gambito made the commitment during the first-quarter meeting of the Provincial Technical Education and Skills Development Committee (PTESDC), which he chairs. He said the additional support is intended to widen access to skills training for Novo Vizcayanos, particularly as the provincial government pursues exploratory discussions with foreign counterparts on the possible deployment of seasonal workers.
The governor noted that most seasonal work programs prioritize applicants with specific competencies, making tech-voc credentials and skills certification critical for residents seeking overseas employment.
Recently, officials from Jinan County in South Korea visited Gambito’s office to discuss a potential arrangement for sending seasonal workers. He is also set to meet next week with officials from Gimcheon City in North Gyeongsang Province, also in South Korea, for similar talks.
Gambito is likewise expected to attend next month a Chinese New Year celebration and a welcome reception for Ms. Li Xiaoyan, the newly appointed consul and head of post of the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China. During the event, the provincial government may raise the possibility of a government-to-government recruitment mechanism with China.
Aside from South Korea and China, the provincial government is also looking at Japan and Switzerland as possible partner countries for government-to-government recruitment of seasonal workers.
To fast-track the initiative, Gambito instructed the Provincial Employment Service Division (PESD), headed by Dolly Rose C. Minas, to prepare a supplemental Annual Investment Program (AIP) to include the allocation of additional funds for skills training and TVET courses.
The PTESDC—composed of provincial stakeholders and the local TESDA office—serves as the province’s key body for aligning technical-vocational training with industry requirements, labor market demand, and employment priorities. It aims to ensure that training programs produce job-ready graduates with practical skills needed for both local opportunities and potential overseas placements, helping reduce unemployment and support economic development in Nueva Vizcaya. ( By Rachel Magday)
