TESDA rolls out training courses on ships’ catering services

16 August 2013

Filipinos aiming to develop a career at sea can now turn to the Ships’ Catering Services courses recently rolled out by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
 
The curriculum on Ships’ Catering Services NC I, NC II and NC III are now available to training providers and technical vocational schools to develop potential workers skilled in preparing, handling and serving the food and drink requirements of the seafarers, delivering basic housekeeping services, practicing food safety, sanitation and hygiene.
 
Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General, signed a circular that deployed the new Training Regulations on Ships’ Catering Services. The circular took effect on July 19, 2013
 
The units of competency comprising the Ships’ Catering Services cover practical cookery, food and personal hygiene, food storage, stock control, environmental protection and catering and health and safety.
 
The development of the new Training Regulations on Ships’ Catering Services is in compliance with the requirements of Regulation 3.2 of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, which will come into force on 20 August 2013.
 
“In line with this, all TVET institutions offering programs related to Ships’ Cook, Ships’ Catering and Ships’ Culinary must align their programs to conform to the new Training Regulations.  They are given one month upon the roll-out of the TRs or until August 19, 2013 to do so,” Villanueva said.
 
Villanueva also announced that TESDA has started accrediting Lead Assessors and Assessment Centers in Metro Manila and in the Regions. One of the accredited assessment centers in Ships’ Catering Services NC I, NC II & NC III is the Norwegian Training Center-Manila (NTC-M).  It is hoped that the system will produce qualified catering staff compliant to MLC 2006.
 
In order to empower the current Filipino catering staff onboard, the TESDA website (www.tesda.gov.ph) can be accessed wherein Self-Assessment Guides for the relevant Training Regulations is available.  In the process, the Filipino catering staff can be prepared to take the National Competency Assessment when they disembark, thus enhancing the chances of hurdling the assessment.
 
Villanueva directed all regional and provincial directors to   facilitate the registration of programs and accreditation of assessors and assessment centers not more than seven days upon receipt of the complete application documents.