He said his division has identified about a dozen of construction firms that are willing to accommodate locals studying trades skills and hire them soon when they graduate.
The division registers 10 to 15 local residents daily for private job vacancies.
Since late last year, the number of local residents registering for private sector jobs has been increasing, Pangelinan said.
He added that some companies continue to make excuses that the local applicants are not qualified for the vacant jobs they announced.
Pangelinan said they are now working closely with NMTI to ensure that local students get the best job opportunities.
He is encouraging those who registered with the Division of Employment Services and Training to study at NMTI and learn trades skills.
The institute offers courses on carpentry, painting, electronics, plumbing, sewing, cosmetics hair styling and culinary arts.
“We are supporting the cause of NMTI because of the growing construction industry,” Pangelinan said.
The new labor law requires construction firms to have 20 percent of its workforce comprised of locals.
Businessman Anthony Pellegrino, who established NMTI last July, noted the increasing interests among local residents who want to work in the private sector.
He said NMTI is affiliated with the National Center for Construction and Research, a non-profit organization of professionals and construction companies in the U.S.
