James Mendoza Carlos’ journey is one of perseverance, discipline, and the pursuit of
excellence. From humble beginnings, he dreamed of building a future where his skills
could take him far. Through hard work and dedication, he transformed that dream into
reality. “Dahil sa suporta ng RTC NCR ay napakalaking epekto ito dahil tinulungan ako at
napakinabangan ko ang lahat ng pinag-aralan sa TESDA kaya ngayon hindi ko na expect
nasa abroad na ako,” he recalls. Every lesson learned, every challenge faced, became a
stepping stone that shaped his professional journey and personal growth.
Before becoming an OFW welder in Europe, Carlos showcased his talent on a national
stage as a Philippine National Skills Competition 2024 competitor in the Welding category.
He first learned about TESDA through Facebook and chose the Shielded Metal Arc
Welding (SMAW) NC I, II, & III programs because he knew welding is a high-demand
profession. TESDA’s programs equipped him not only with technical skills but also with
life skills such as discipline, time management, and teamwork. “Nagbago ang buhay ko
dahil nakatagpo ako ng trainer na mabait, minsan strict, pero kung hindi dahil sa kanya,
wala ako sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon, wala ako ngayon sa abroad,” he shares. The
guidance of his trainers and the support of TESDA RTC-NCR became the foundation of
his success.
Today, Carlos works as an OFW welder for Technogym in Slovakia, carrying with him the
skills, values, and work ethic instilled by TESDA. He encourages future students to seize
every opportunity with dedication: “At ang maipapayo ko sa mga nais mag-aral sa
TESDA, ay kapag gusto ninyong kumuha ng kurso sa TESDA ay dapat pahalagahan
ninyo dahil hindi biro ang pagod, effort, at oras na nasasayang ninyo, dahil yung skill na
meron ako at ikaw ay kailanman hindi mananakaw sa iyo.” His story is a testament to
how determination, mentorship, and hard work
