TESDA Benguet holds second TVET forum

La Trinidad, Benguet— The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Office conducted the second TVET forum in 2019 to provide updates on TESD policies and programs, enhance TVET delivery implementation and monitoring of outputs, discuss scholarship programs, and competency assessment and certification in Baguio City and Benguet.

“This is to make it easier for TVET Institutions to work effectively and efficiently with the agency especially the schools that carry out their registered programs and which will therefore bring to action the mandates of TESDA,” said Engr. David Bungallon, TESDA Baguio/Benguet Provincial Director.

“We must win the hearts and minds of the people through TVET as a solution in stamping out the cause of poverty and enhancing one’s productivity or employability. What TVET does directly impacts on the lives of the people,” he added. He also reiterated that the programs support the advocacy of TESDA Director General, Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña.

TESDA is mandated to manage the TVET sector. Its functions include the supervision of public and private technical vocational institutions (TVIs).

PD Bungallon explained that the forum was conducted to provide stakeholders with updates on the TESD policies and programs; enhance implementation and monitoring of TVET delivery; discuss updates on the scholarship program, competency assessment and certification in the province; and discuss strategies to strengthen functional partnerships with TVET stakeholders.

During the forum, sanctions in relation to violations of the provisions of the Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System (UTPRAS) guidelines were also reiterated.

The establishment of the typology of TVIs, which will provide a common reference in classifying TVIs, was likewise explained.

“We aim to facilitate a better supervision of TVET by being able to quickly identify the capacity and quality of the TVET programs offerings, serve as a quality assurance mechanism, assist policy makers to identify weaknesses, strength, gaps and opportunities in the provision of TVET, assist the policy makers in determining needs of the constituents and serve as a guide for the management of TVIs to enable them to direct the future of their institution,” added PD Bungallon.

He also reiterated that the key employment generators (KEGs) are Agri-Fishery/Agri-Business/Agro Industrial, Tourism, Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM), Semi-Conductor and Electronics, Automotive, Logistics, General Infrastructure, and Construction-related trades.

“2019 scholarship allocations for Baguio City and Benguet amount to more than 32 million pesos,” he said. The accomplishments of the schools serve as one basis for the scholarship distribution.

The activity was attended by 57 school heads and administrators of the different TVIs in Baguio City and Benguet. (Glenda Marquez/TESDA-Baguio/Benguet)