28 September 2013
With an eye toward improving implementation of technical vocational programs, executives, staff and trainers of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) underwent specialized capability build-up training to enhance their technical skills and prepare them for tougher tasks ahead.
The training dealt with teaching them to create quality training plan for TESDA's apprenticeship program, and sharpening their coordination and networking skills, particularly of Industrial Coordinators (ICs) who are tasked to promote and monitor the implementation of the Dual Training System (DTS).
DTS is a training modality, which combines theoretical and practical training. It is called dual training because learning takes place alternately in two venues: the school or training center, and the company or workshop.
From September 9 to 12, a total of 40 TESDA directors and staff from all over the country learned the ropes of developing a training plan for the apprenticeship program, which they would later cascade to the other staff in the various regional and provincial offices.
The training aimed to equip the participants with skills in the analysis and identification of skills for specific qualifications; and determine learning outcomes and assessment criteria for a more effective delivery of the apprenticeship program.
The apprenticeship program had undergone reforms since 1996 when its implementation was transferred to TESDA. As part of these reforms, the agency deemed it better for enterprises applying for program registration to submit a training plan.
With the training plan, both the trainers and the trainees are properly guided on the lesson's content and delivery to ensure quality training.
"We are also coming up with incentive package that aims to develop their capability in conducting training for their prospective and existing workers," Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, said.
"Enterprises are the best venues for training, particularly for complex skills that require high investment for equipment and facilities. This is the reason why we are encouraging companies to partner with TESDA and participate in our apprenticeship program," he added.
The Basic Dual Training Industrial Coordination course, on the other hand, which was conducted from September 16 to 19, focused on honing the skills of coordinators, who will advocate and monitoring the implementation of the DTS.
"The DTS is one of the preferred training modalities of TESDA. But participation of technical-vocational institutions and establishments was low," Villanueva said.
He said the training aimed to create a pool of ICs, who will play a key role in conducting multiplier trainings and who will link with the establishments and technical-vocational institutes (TVIs) and draw them in the program.
"The DTS is far more in-depth than internship and far more structured. In an actual company setting, skills learned in classroom are further reinforced and developed. Trainees become candidates for employment, and employers get a glimpse of the work of their future employees," Villanueva added.
Through apprenticeship and the DTS, the TESDA chief is optimistic that more and more enterprises will invest in tech-voc and take a major role in developing the skills of their own workforce.
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