28 September 2015
In the days ahead, a white bus emblazoned with the words Training on Wheels will motor to communities in Negros Occidental to give skills training.
With the launch of the project this September, technical-vocational education will even be within reach, especially of the less fortunate, who are hindered by various reasons of receiving education, Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva said.
“We know the hardships of some students about the lack of money for transportation in going to schools. Some could not leave their homes because they are taking care of their siblings. Others are discouraged because of the long trek and travel to schools,” he said.
“The message of the Training on Wheels project is that education is on the way, and they should not miss it,” Villanueva added.
The project was an initiative of the provincial government in partnership with TESDA-Negros Occidental Provincial Office and Regional Training Center-Talisay, and the Vallacar Transit Inc., which donated the bus that will serve as the mobile classroom.
“We have committed ourselves to extend assistance for the strengthening of technical and vocational training programs in the province of Negros Occidental,” Ricardo Yanson Sr., Vallacar Transit Inc. president, said.
TESDA launched the nationwide mobile training program in early 2012 after it received several units of buses as donations from one of its partners in the promotion of technical vocational education.
The mobile bus is equipped with computers, laptops and other learning materials and equipment relevant to the courses being offered.
Since 2012, the mobile training bus has visited a number of areas in Metro Manila and several nearby provinces bringing along course offerings to individuals who want to try tech-voc education and get an opportunity for employment later on.
In some areas, the facility also offers Community Disaster Management modules designed to equip participants with skills in performing basic life support, coordinating emergency resources, managing the emergency scene, transporting emergency and non-emergency patients, and delivering pre-hospital patient care in times of calamities.
The Negros Occidental government and Vallacar Transit have invested in various technical education and skills development programs in partnership with TESDA.
Vallacar has been continuously conducting competency assessment, skills upgrading and trainers’ development programs for its employees.
The provincial government, meanwhile, has sponsored training programs like repair and maintenance of vehicles for drivers, heavy equipment operation, and welding training for metals and engineering.
In the coming days, a white bus emblazoned with the words Training on Wheels will quietly slip into communities in Negros Occidental to give skills training. The project is through the effort of the provincial government,TESDA and the Vallacar Transit, which donated the bus.
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