PHL WINS 2 MEDALLIONS OF EXCELLENCE IN WORLD SKILLS COMPETITION

 October 20, 2017

Despite not having participated in the World Skills Competition for 14 years, the Philippines won two medallions of excellence at the World Skills Abu Dhabi 2017 recently.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General, Secretary Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong said that the last time the Philippines competed in the World Skills Competition was in 2003 when it was held at the St. Gallen, Switzerland where the Philippines was awarded the diploma of excellence in the field of Information Technology.

At the just concluded World Skills Competition, the Philippines was represented by Joven Hayagan for the IT Software Solution for Business category and Jalanie Dimacaling in the field of Web Design Development.

The Philippines received an Average Point Score when it was ranked No. 7 and No. 15 for the Average Medal Points in the competition that was participated in by 57 nations in the World Skills Abu Dhabi 2017.

The World Skills Competition is held every two years. TESDA is the lead agency which selects participants in the World Skills Competition.

This year, Korea led in the Average Point Score. It was followed by China, Switzerland, France, Chinese Taipei; South Tyrol, Italy; and the Philippines.

Under the Average Medal Points, China led the competition. It was followed by Switzerland, Korea; France, Brazil, Australia, Chinese Taipei; South Tyrol, Italy; Principality of Liechtenstein, Australia, Russia, Singapore; Japan, United Kingdom, Finland and the Philippines.

Prior to the selection of Hayagan as the country's representative to the World Skills Abu Dhabi 2017, he has already given honor to the country when he won gold at the 1^st China International Skills Competition 2017 (CISC2017), silver medallist at the 11^th ASEAN Skills Competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016.

Hayagan also received gold medals during the Philippine National Skills Competition and Bicol Regional Skills Competition. He became champion in the province-wide Computer Programming Challenge.

On the other hand, Dimacaling was awarded bronze in the CISC2017 Web Design Development, bronze medal in 11^thASEAN Skills Competition, gold medals in the Philippine National Skills Competition, Regional Skills Competition and Baguio and Benguet Skills Competition. He also received the Best of Nation Award at the World Skills Competition 2017.