Vivant Corp., the project proponent of European Union-funded Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth (RELY), said four Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) graduates installed solar energy systems that now powers four off-grid schools in northern Cebu.
The four EIM-Solar graduates from Bantayan Senior High School are among the 12 EIM-Solar graduates that were hired by Solar Systems Philippines Inc. (SSPI) to energize a total of 16 off-grid and remote schools in Cebu and Bohol under Project RELY. SSPI has also hired EIM-Solar graduates in Palawan during the installation of solar energy systems in six off-grid schools in Puerto Princesa City and San Vicente.
SSPI is the contractor for the solar energization of Moamboc and Mambacayao Elementary Schools in Bantayan, Cebu. They completed senior high school under the EIM track, which has been upgraded by RELY to include solar technology in the curriculum.
Project RELY has improved the EIM track of Bantayan Senior High School, Daanbantayan National High School, San Jose National High School in Talibon, Bohol, Palawan National School in Puerto Princesa and Roxas National Comprehensive High School in Roxas, Palawan to incorporate solar technology in the curriculum.
Through Project RELY, Bantayan Senior High School has been named as an assessment venue for National Certification 2 of EIM graduates by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) while Daanbantayan National High School is being considered for such designation.
“We’re proud of how we have helped the senior high school students. Through Project RELY, we’ve been able to expand our pilot project in Bantayan to other partner senior high schools in Daanbantayan (Cebu), Talibon (Bohol), and Puerto Princesa and Roxas (Palawan),” Vivant Foundation Executive Director Shem Jose Garcia said. “The upgrading of the EIM track will not only ensure the sustainability of the solar energization component of RELY, but will also provide opportunities for our youth to find employment in the energy of the future.”
EIM remains to be a skill requirement of the industry, particularly in the construction sector. With a National Certification from Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA), EIM graduates are recognized by local and international employers.
The National Certification is part of TESDA’s efforts to make Filipino skilled workers achieve global competitiveness and to ensure a steady supply of skilled workers equipped with innovative skills and positive work values.
“We do not just aim for well-equipped workforce but also a workforce that will help in making a difference in the lives of every Filipinos and contribute to nation building. This is the exceptional character of the Filipino skilled workforce that we can all be proud of,” TESDA Director General Isidro Lapeña said.
The four students are Paulo Canete, Andro Ejes, Matt Hendrick Villamor and Jephte Salve. They got employed by Solar Systems Philippines Inc. (SSPI).
RELY is a project funded by the EU that aims to promote use of renewable energy to improve lives and foster climate change mitigation in poor and remote communities by energizing 16 off-grid public schools in the three Philippine provinces. Aside from improving the vocational education in five partner senior high schools, RELY also includes community development targeting families in the off-grid schools.
