LAMUT, Ifugao – Some 250 members of the indigenous communities in Ifugao completed various skills training courses at the Ifugao State University (IFSU) under the free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program, with the mass graduation held on February 17, 2020.
Of the 250 graduates, 25 completed training in Caregiving NC II, 150 in Agricultural Crops Production NC I and NC II and 75 in Organic Agriculture Production NC I and NC II.
These technical-vocational programs are offered by the IFSU upon registering them under the Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System of the TESDA. TESDA-Ifugao provincial director Diosdado Escalante lauded the IFSU for embracing technical-vocational programs as viable career options for its students.
“Without your assistance, we will not succeed in our endeavor to provide quality tertiary education to our beneficiaries,” he declared.
“To the graduates of our programs, raise the TESDA banner high and continue to enhance your skills. This is just the beginning of your life-long journey of learning,” he continued.
Escalante further assured the continuing support of TESDA through scholarships and to prioritize agriculture-related courses.
Meanwhile, IFSU President Eva Dugyon thanked TESDA for giving the institution an opportunity in providing education to indigenous communities, saying “IFSU will not be able to produce world-class graduates if it were not for TESDA, let us continue with our partnership and bring the government services closer to the public.”
Under the free TVET program, beneficiary-students are entitled to a living allowance, instructional materials allowance, National Competency Assessment, starter toolkits, accident insurance, training costs, and other training-related costs.
By Dexter Binwag
