Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda reaffirmed her commitment to employment and livelihood opportunities for Kapampangans as she addressed 200 graduates of the SKILLS (Skills-Knowledge Improvement for Local Labor Support) for Pampanga program during a ceremony held July 21 at the Benigno Aquino Hall in the Capitol Compound.

The graduates, who completed TESDA-certified courses in tailoring, dressmaking, electrical installation and maintenance, cookery, and animal production, were met with a clear and compassionate message from the governor: “We will help you find work — and we will hire you if needed.”

“Those who have completed cookery, give us your numbers. We’ll send you for OJT in Clark restaurants and ensure you get a job. For those in dressmaking, you’ll each receive your own sewing machine,” Gov. Nanay said in Kapampangan.

She also announced practical job placements for graduates of electrical installation and maintenance, particularly in provincial hospitals and infrastructure projects under the Provincial Engineering Office.

“You need more training to master your craft. If you get opportunities abroad, once it’s endorsed by TESDA, PSAU, and Pampanga State University, immigration won’t be a problem. You’ll go straight to your job,” she assured them.

For graduates in animal production, Gov. Nanay pledged to seek livelihood support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help them start their own agribusiness ventures.

All graduates received ₱2,000 cash assistance during the ceremony. A mini job fair was also conducted on-site, giving new graduates immediate access to employment opportunities.

The SKILLS program is a collaborative effort of the Provincial Government of Pampanga, TESDA, Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), and Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU). It aims to empower Kapampangans with competitive technical skills for both local and global job markets.