WORK IMMERSION TOWARD WORK SKILLS ACQUISITION
ARBEL S. ICBAN
The nature of the present-day employment requires better and more competent manpower. Owing to global market competition as well as to technological modification, industries had to create more improved procedures and standards within the workplace. As a result, all people involved must develop knowledge and skills aligned with the changes to secure permanent positions.
Undeniably, education is one of the significant approaches to enhance the qualities and attributes of the graduates appropriate to the job descriptions and specifications of the employers. Certainly, education plays a vital role in transition rates into and out of employment.
Meanwhile, a specific instruction paired with hands-on learning opportunities has been developed and this is work immersion program. Work Immersion Program, as a tool to acquire the necessary skills relevant to the selected career pathways of the learners, is greatly implemented throughout the country. To further achieve greater competence among the graduates, the Department of Education has integrated Work Immersion Program as one of the subjects in the Senior High School curriculum. In the DepEd Order No. 30, s. 2017, also known as Guidelines for Work Immersion, Work Immersion refers to the subject which involves hands-on experience or work simulation in which learners can apply their competencies and acquired knowledge relevant to their tracks.
Like the other countries in the world, the Philippines is affected by the unpredictable changes carried by globalization in the labor market. Nonetheless, the country is still overwhelmed with high rates of unemployment due to the increased labor force growth which out casted the number of created formal works. As one way to resolve this, the Department of Education has implemented the K to 12 Curriculum in order to realize the development of the graduates well-matched for the 21st century skills.
Indeed, the aim of the educational system of the country is to produce graduates with professional competence in the workplace. Furthermore, the efficiency of a program in education implemented by the government can be measured through the performance of the graduates in terms of knowledge and skills gained and utilized in the work environment.
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The author is Teacher III at Sta. Cruz High Integrated School, Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampanga