South Poblacion barangay captain Dioscoro Esbra witnessed the turnover from TCPI human resources and administration manager Esther P. Cola, community and general affairs section head Vanessa N. Bongcawil and their staff.

The company donated the machines in line with its Social Development Management Program (SDMP) program for human resources development and Institutional Building.

During consultation with stakeholders last December, barangay captains sought for TCPI support within 2017 in special training programs for out-of-school youth through TESDA to help build the town’s pool of skilled manpower.

Other than welding, they also cited food processing and housekeeping.

In March 2008, TCPI with Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) also donated upon the request of TESDA two sets of welding machines.

Then TCPI plant manager Shinichi Aoyama and SEDC technical adviser Hideki Yanagita personally handed the equipment that had an angle grinder, a depressed center wheel, some welding rods, an electrode holder and a cutting outfit.

TESDA and the municipality government established the Manpower Training Center in 2004 to equip town residents with technical and vocation skills necessary for them to land in jobs or pursue entrepreneurial ventures and earn a living.

The center has since provided courses in automotive mechanics, pipe fitting, basic electrical works, basic welding and shielded metal arc welding.

Noting that welding was the most in-demand course, TCPI and SEDC donated the welding machines as they vowed to continue supporting the municipality in producing vocational graduates ready to tackle jobs that await them.