PIA Press Release Thursday, January 26, 2012Regional Skills Competition kicks off in BulacanCITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, Jan. 26 (PIA) – After a six-year break, the Central Luzon Regional Skills Competition (RSC) has set off yesterday with hundreds of technical and vocational students around the region witnessing the cutting of ceremonial gold chain at Bulacan Capitol Gym.Secretary Joel Villanueva of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado cut the ceremonial chain using a blow torch to officially opened the competition which is considered the “Olympics of blue-collar occupations.” Alvarado said Bulacan is honored to be the host of the event last held six years ago as it will give the winning participants the opportunity to represent the region in the Philippine National Skills Competition (PNSC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Skills Competition which are set this year. “This competition is a big help to our fellowmen who want to have a brighter future. Our youth and people will again be able to show their skills and intelligence which are now in-demand in other countries,” said Alvarado in Filipino. According to Villanueva, the ceremonial cutting of the chain and the lighting of the unity torch by the seven provincial directors of TESDA in Central Luzon symbolize that Filipinos can excel in any field and be the best skilled workers in any part of the world. “This not only to promote sportsmanship spirit, to show excellence and intelligence and how to be a specialist, but it also shows that here in TESDA, there is hope and employment,” said Villanueva to reporters. The gold medal winners in RSC will move on to represent Central Luzon to the PNSC which is scheduled in Visayas on February. Accordingly, the top performers will compete in the ASEAN level to be held in Indonesia on March 2012. The participants will vie in 18 trade areas which include mechanical engineering design-CAD, information technology and softwares, welding, web design, electrical installation technology, cabinet making, joinery, men and women’s hairdressing, beauty therapy, fashion technology, automobile technology, cooking, restaurant service, refrigeration, graphic design, electronics, information network cabling and mechatronics. (CLJD/JMG/PIA-3) |