November 12, 2021
Taguig City – To strengthen its partnership with stakeholders amid the pandemic, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) conducted the 2021 National Industry Forum last November 11.
With the theme “Bridging Skills Supply and Demand Gaps through the Industry Tie-ups,” the forum featured speakers from TESDA and industry partners who shared their experiences in the implementation of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in the new normal.
The forum likewise aimed to encourage the participation of more potential partners to engage in the provision of quality tech-voc in the country.
In his speech, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña noted the importance of partnerships not just with the industry and employers, but also with those who are in the legislature and local government units (LGUs).
“Our coordination and cooperation among all these sectors help make Philippine TVET as responsive and dynamic as possible,” Lapeña said.
The TESDA Chief also shared that the agency has shifted from a supply-driven to a more demand-driven and area-based TVET to make it more responsive to the critical needs of the industries and stakeholders.
He added that area-based and demand-driven strategy in TVET also serve as an alternative pathway to prepare for future jobs and training needs in the area.
“This strategic shift puts premium importance on the stakeholders, as we move to establish not just partnerships, but lasting relationship with our partners. Through the delivery of programs according to area-based priority needs, we can further enhance the employability and productivity of our graduates,” he said.
For his part, TESDA Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Linkages Aniceto Bertiz III recognized the importance of the industry as they are the “keys to the fast, and efficient implementation of skills training and upskilling.”
Meanwhile, Senator Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, who also served as TESDA Director General from 2010 to 2015, said that industry partners have been the “game changers” in Philippine TVET.
“I personally witnessed the power of our industries not only in harnessing tech-voc training but in ensuring that it is connected to jobs and actual business and employment opportunities for our people,” he said.
Over 600 participants from the Industry Groups, Prospective Partners, TESDA Board Members and TESDA Officials and employees attended the event which encouraged more collaboration between TESDA and its stakeholders. ###
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