The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Friday said it is working with the private sector, the academe and other government agencies in setting up a TVET (technical and vocational education and training) Industry Board to boost training and employability of graduates.
TESDA Deputy Director General Nelly Nita Dillera said creating a TVET Industry Board would address skills mismatch.
Dillera said they are looking at growth sectors such as construction, agriculture, tourism, health services, information and communications technology, and manufacturing.
“We are looking at the health sector. PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) is already known as far as courses are concerned. We are looking at including barangay health nutritionists, barangay health workers,” she said in a televised briefing, adding that elderly care in the health services sector is prioritized.
The board would include industry stakeholders because they know what skills and competency they need while academic institutions would create the modules.
Government agencies, on the other hand, know the demands in their sectors, she added.
“There were instances when the products of academic institutions do not match the industry requirement. So we would involve the industry so they could tell their needs and be involved in the development of (module) contents,” she said.
Once the board is established, Dillera said it would be a huge help in labor information since the skills and competencies that industries need would be identified.
“We also expect the establishment of the board to improve the competency standards and competency assessment tools,” she added.
STEP graduates
Meanwhile, 5,249 scholars completed their TVET courses under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) and received training certificates in a ceremony at Baliwag Star Arena in Baliwag City, Bulacan.
Senator Joel Villanueva, also TESDA chief in 2019 to 2022, celebrated his 49th birthday with the graduates and helped distribute toolkits.
“Ang kanilang mga certificate ang kanilang magiging pasaporte sa pagiging isang world-class na manggagawang Pilipino (Their certificates will be their passports to become world-class Filipino workers,” Villanueva said in his speech.
He said STEP was conceptualized under his term to ensure that trainees not only acquire essential skills but also have the means to immediately apply their skills and generate income through the use of their toolkits.
The graduates were enrolled in bread and pastry production, processing food by fermentation and pickling, shielded metal arc welding, dressmaking, driving and electrical installation and maintenance. (PNA)
