BALER, Aurora – Residents of Casiguran in Aurora may soon benefit from expanded skills development programs as the province’s ecozone secures a lease agreement for a new technical vocational training hub.
The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) formalized a lease agreement with AuHarvest Training and Assessment Center to establish a TESDA accredited training hub designed to elevate local skills and meet the workforce requirements of industries locating in the ecozone.
APECO President and CEO Gil Taway IV said the initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to ensuring that development within the ecozone results in meaningful benefits for nearby communities.
“Our goal is to make sure that the progress in APECO directly uplifts the lives of our people. By partnering with AuHarvest, we are investing in Casiguran’s greatest resource, its people. We want them to be equipped with the right skills and certifications so they can be part of the opportunities our locators will soon bring,” Taway emphasized.
Under the partnership, AuHarvest will operate a facility within the APECO Corporate Campus where it will offer industry aligned programs for residents, APECO locators, and emerging sectors across Aurora.
The training hub will provide national certification and job ready competencies that prepare graduates for employment within the ecozone or in other industries requiring skilled and certified workers.
AuHarvest Chairperson Edgardo Manda said the collaboration supports the goal of expanding access to technical education and livelihood opportunities in remote communities.
“Through this partnership, AuHarvest hopes to contribute meaningfully by developing a pool of skilled and competent workers who will serve the needs of APECO locators and industries. We aim to empower the people of Casiguran and the surrounding communities by providing them with accessible technical education and livelihood opportunities,” Manda said.
Aligned with the national government’s agenda to strengthen regional competitiveness, APECO continues to develop programs that build a capable workforce and attract sustainable investments to Northern Aurora.
With the training center set to rise, Casiguran is positioning itself as an emerging hub for skills development that supports APECO’s long term vision for an investment ready and community focused ecozone.(CLJD/MJRD, PIA Region 3- Aurora)