Twenty-three technical-vocational (tech-voc) graduates will compete at the 13th WorldSkills ASEAN Competition in Singapore from July 18 to 28, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) announced Tuesday.

Youths from the 10 ASEAN member countries will compete in 22 skills areas in this tilt that Singapore is hosting for the first time. The event will also feature interactive activities to promote skills and promising skills-related careers.

“This competition provides an opportunity for us to gauge the level of skills of our graduates and workers against those of other countries. By joining these prestigious activities, we also show the world, especially potential employers, what we can do,” TESDA Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu said in a news release.

According to TESDA, participants will compete in skill areas such as Automobile Technology, Beauty Therapy, Cooking, Electrical Installation, Electronics, Fashion Technology, Graphic Design Technology, Hairdressing, Information Network Cabling, Internet-of-Things, IT Network System Administration, IT Software Solutions for Business, Mechanical Engineering CAD, Mechatronics, Mobile Robotics, Rapid Transit System, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Restaurant Service and Web Technology.

Mangudadatu is optimistic that the Filipino participants will gain the experience and knowledge which will help them to be successful in life.

He also assured that TESDA ensures that training programs are at par with international standards.

Meanwhile, it can be recalled that Filipino participant Jonathan Supsupin bagged a Medallion for Excellence in the Cooking skill area during the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition in Switzerland.

The Medallion for Excellence is granted to competitors whose performance meets international standards based on the criteria set by the WorldSkills International, TESDA said. (PNA)