BAGUIO CITY – In order to ensure full dissemination of policies and confirm common understanding among major stakeholders of technical-vocational education and training (TVET), the TESDA-CAR provincial Offices held consultation-dialogues with tech-voc institutions (TVIs) and TVI associations.
TESDA CAR Regional Director Manuel Wong said that dialogues with the TVIs are regularly conducted in order to get feedback from the providers of TVET and “to establish and strengthen trust in our TVET system from our valuable clients so they may view TVET as a viable alternative.”
During the consultation in Benguet, presided by TESDA Provincial Director Vilma Cabrera, the representatives requested that obsolete tools, equipment and supplies in the Training Regulations be replaced, that trainer’s accreditation be facilitated, and that the Diploma curriculum be reviewed as they perceive certain overlaps with the Associate courses of higher education.
In Abra, the TVIs requested that the moratorium on the conduct of assessment by the private assessment centers be lifted for certain qualifications. Another concern was the need for longer time to recruit trainees from far-flung areas of the province. The meeting was facilitated by Acting Provincial Director Nenita Corro.
The Kalinga Technical Vocational Education Association expressed appreciation for the prioritization of beneficiaries from 4th, 5th, 6th class municipalities and the consultation of local government units in the preparation of proposals for scholarships. The representatives, in a discussion with Provincial Director Victor Brioso, requested that TESDA consider late applications for mobile training programs.
In Ifugao, facilitated by Supervising TESD Specialist Melita Pinic, the participants the continuous assistance of the TESDA to private partners on program registration, strengthening of monitoring system of the trainer’s performance in the delivery of the training for quality TVET, and scholarship allocation based on the performance of the TVIs.
In the Mountain Province forum, facilitated by Acting Provincial Director Eduardo Tamayao, concerns on low training subsidy and bases for scholarship allocations were discussed.
In all the provincial dialogues, common recommendations were the increase in assessment fees, lifting of moratorium on mobile training programs and conduct of assessment by the private sector in certain qualifications.
RD Wong said that new policies and guidelines are aimed at making TVET more responsive and relevant. The dialogues were necessary so that TESDA and its partners can implement programs more smoothly and with deeper appreciation for the objectives of the policies.
By PMTG
