05 March 2013
Operating their own technical-vocational training centers may just be what local government units need to give their education and employment programs a boost, Secretary Joel Villanueva, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general, said.
Villanueva said Technical vocational education and training (TVET) centers placed in local hands and with adequate resources can know better the training needs of their industries and can immediately provide the needed intervention.
TESDA, through Villanueva, recently signed a devolution agreement for the turnover of the management and operation of the Provincial Training Center of Malolos City in Bulacan to the city government.
"Localizing the management and operation of the provincial training center will make the training and skills development opportunities more responsive to local needs and priorities," he noted.
While the training center will be devolved to the city government, Villanueva committed that TESDA will still be there to assist until the LGU is able to stand on its own.
“We are going with thoroughness on this matter to ensure sustainability of the training centers. But local government units have to embrace this reality as it is prescribed in our law and because it could be the next big thing going for them," the TESDA chief added.
In May 2004, the TESDA Board adopted and approved a resolution for a policy on progressive devolution program covering four stages in a 25-year span until 2030. This is in compliance with a provision in Republic Act No.7796, the law that created TESDA.
The Provincial Training Center has been jointly managed by TESDA and the Malolos City government since 2003. In 2011, a revised devolution plan was put in place to prepare for the requisites of turning over the management and operation of the center to the local government unit.
As part of the turn over, TESDA will continue to provide the city government with technical assistance on TVET for up to two years. The agency will also help in the registration of the training courses to be provided by the center.
Incoming personnel who will man the center will also receive training assistance from TESDA to enhance their knowledge and skills in managing the programs and operations of the training center.
The city government, meanwhile, is expected to manage effectively the day-to-day operations of the center, and ensure the continuous provision of quality training to students. After the training, it is required to make graduates undergo assessment and certification.
Just as crucial as the management capability, the local government is mandated to provide regular funding or annual allocation for the operation of the training center.
A five-member joint implementation team composed of representatives from TESDA and the city government will also be created to oversee the successful implementation of the devolution.
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