By Jhon Aldrin Casinas

Shoe technology course and other technical courses will now be included in the course offerings of the city-run Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar).

This, after the Marikina City government and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) formalizing the offering of the courses at PLMar.

“As we sign this MOA, we are proud to say that we accept the challenge of committing to quality technical education through our partner institution—TESDA, and especially our local college, PLMar,” Teodoro said in a statement.

The mayor said the inclusion of the courses will further boost the local industry of shoemaking in Marikina, and further develop the technical skills of its residents through trainings.

Under the agreement, TESDA will train Marikina City Hall personnel on any technical training or short courses they want to take, the statement read. They may choose courses on automotive, engineering, bartending, and hotel management courses, among other courses available.

TESDA will also assist the city government in the accreditation of its City Engineering Unit to make it into an assessment center and training service provider for courses related to engineering and automotive.

“We look forward to your involvement in the further development of our footwear industry, in the opening of courses on Caregiving, Bread and Pastry, and most especially Shoe Tech,” the mayor said.

Teodoro and TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña signed the agreement at the National TVET Trainers Academy (NTTA) in Marikina City on October 31.

“I am happy, Mayor Marcy, that today is the realization ng ating pinag-usapan, not just the training regulation ng shoe industry ang ma-aaddress natin, but other courses also that can be offered doon sa mga nangangailangan dito sa Marikina particularly,” Lapeña said in his speech.

Teodoro earlier announced that the P60-million Shoe Tech School, located inside the PLMar campus, is set to be operational by the third quarter of 2020.

The shoe school, he said, will produce more shoemakers through TESDA-certified training that would address the lack of skilled shoemakers in Marikina.

Coinciding the MOA signing was the launching of the NTTA catering services offered by TESDA Marikina.

Present during the event were NTTA Director Noralaine Rogong-Rasul; Dr. Erico Habijan, president of PLMar; and Archie Grande, district director of PaMaMariSan (Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, and San Juan).