Winnable competitor-coach tandem is key to gold at ASEAN Skills Competition

06 July 2014

he Philippines will be sending a delegation composed of competitors, coaches and officials to the biennial event. 

The contest will pit the 10 member countries of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) against each other to prove their technical ? competence? in various trade areas.

Amid increasing moves to integrate the ASEAN economies, enhancing the quality of human resources is a matter of priority to make the skilled workers competitive.

"The competition will foster cooperation in technical-vocational education and training among member countries, and encourage closer ties between governments, industries, employers and workers organizations, and vocational institutions," Villanueva said.

"It will also provide a vehicle to recognize work excellence of the graduates and experts," he added.

Villanueva said the preparation for this year's ASC should not be a one-shot deal, but should be designed toward sustained participation in the international skills competition.

"To achieve this, a pool of experts and coaches would have to be developed and maintained," he said.

He said TESDA is exploring the possibility of having a Coaches Academy, which aims to establish a system of developing a pool of and a career path for readily available coaches and experts for the country's participation in local and international competitions.

This was also tackled at a recently held workshop that discussed the National Training Plan.  The plan also identified the areas of concern that needed focus and the timeline of the competition.

TESDA, through the National Organizing Committee, will organize a mock competition from July 29 to 31.  On August 19, it will submit the official list of Philippine delegation to the ASC.

Meantime, TESDA is looking for industry partners and sponsors?who could assist in the further training of the competitors and coaches ? and in subsidizing the travelling expenses of the Philippine delegation.

"We need to enhance the skills ? of our competitors and coaches ?in using the latest equipment and ?technology available in ?the shop floors. Thus, we are looking for companies that would open their facilities for this purpose," Villanueva added.    

The following trade areas are to be competed in by the ASEAN member countries in the ASC: Beauty Therapy, Mechatronics, Fashion Technology, Mechanical Engineering Design-CAD, Graphic Design Technology, IT Software Solutions for Business, Cooking, Welding, Restaurant Services, Electronics, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Web Design, IT Network System Administration, Electrical Installations, Industrial Automation, Wall and Floor Tiling, Plumbing and Heating, Bricklaying, Cabinet Making, Joinery, Automobile Technology, Restaurant Services, Industrial Automation, Information Network Cabling, Mobile Robotics, CNC Maintenance, and Hairdressing.

TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva graces the opening of the Philippine National Skills Competition. The winners will represent the Philippines at the ASEAN Skills Competition in Vietnam this October.
 

Technical-vocation students get hands-on training on hairdressing to hone their skills in preparation for the 2014 ASEAN Skills Competition.
 

Budding chefs get to cook for real to determine who can whip up the best-tasting dishes, and represent the country at the ASEAN Skills Competition in Vietnam this year.