TESDA marks 24th anniversary
WEEK, all offices of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) sizzle with activities aimed at celebrating the 24th anniversary of this educational division that harnesses the technical- vocational skills of the Filipino youth.
That was the information I side of the law. Lack of livelihood gathered during a chance meeting opportunities has no doubt become with a TESDA regional director at SM the usual excuse for the youth to go City-Iloilo. While Toni “June” Tamayo wayward. is no longer with us – being now on The most exciting part of the a bigger assignment in Cebu City 24th anniversary celebration is (Region 7) – he granted my request the job fair called “World Café of for a quick interview over a cup of Opportunities” to unfold in all 17 coffee. TESDA regional offices on Saturday
“We are preparing for the National and Sunday (Aug. 25 and 26). Here, Tech-Voc Day on Saturday,” he said, graduates of TESDA training centers referring to Aug. 25, 2018. “But the and technical-vocational schools may entire week actually buzzes with apply for jobs with representatives activities in honor of our trainers, of government agencies and private trainees and graduates.” employers. The national winners of the “TESDA trainees,” Tamayo said,
(with achievers/ “are very employable. An average contestants comprising the regional of 65 percent of TESDA graduates Kabalikat Awards winners) will be proclaimed and gets employed. Some students – awarded by Director General Guiling among them welding, carpentry Mamondiong at TESDA’s main office and masonry trainees – actually in Taguig City. For example, winner earn the equivalent of 75 percent of Tina Ronato, is now a successful the minimum wage under the Dual bakeshop owner in Cebu City. Training System program.”
Mamondiong, the first Muslim This reality mirrors the training Cabinet member of President Rodrigo efficiency of TESDA. Before each Duterte, believes that given decent student gets his certificate of livelihood, drug pushers and users completion, he comes face to face could be swayed back to the right with a TESDA assessor who grades
his acquired skills.
Graduates of certain tech- voc courses earn more than their white- collar counterparts. Among them are heavy-equipment operators at Semirara Mining and Power Corp. in Semirara Island who are paid more or less P75,000 per month.
“We now offer a course in heavy- equipment operation in Talisay, Cebu,” Tamayo revealed.
TESDA this year has a budget of P7 billion for scholarships under its new program, the Unified Access to Quality Education (UAQE) leading to diploma courses. Whereas, there used to be only national certificates numbered NC-1 to NC-4 to identify the students’ level of training, they may now go for broader disciplines.
“For example,” Tamayo cited, “we now offer a diploma course in Auto Technology, which immerses students in all jobs related to complete training in repair and maintenance of motor vehicles, ranging from painting to welding.”
To be developed by TESDA is a course in urban farming where city dwellers would train in green technology on rooftops and concrete spaces using soiled plots and pots, or even so- called hydroponics or growing of plants in water with nutrient solutions.
“We are inspired by our success,” Tamayo said, adding that he would lead the Philippine delegation to the ASEAN Skills Competition in Bangkok, Thailand next week, bringing with him Filipino skilled competitors i n such fields as Information Technology, Fashion Design and Electronics.
Here in Iloilo City, TESDA has been assisting the city- owned Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) in producing trainees in welding, automotive servicing, driving and carpentry. (
hvego31@gmail.com/ PN)