KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato Province (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in the Soccsksargen region has vowed to produce more skilled workers through a strengthened Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program.

“We really recognize the importance of skills training lalo na ngayon na bumabawi tayo mula sa pandemya, and we are supportive of the vision of President Bongbong Marcos na babangon tayong muli sa lahat ng ating mga pinagdaanan and sa direksyon ng ating Secretary Teng Mangudadatu,” said TESDA Regional Director Rafael Abrogar II.

[We really recognize the importance of skills training, especially now that we are recovering from the pandemic, in support of the vision of President Bongbong Marcos that we will rise again from all that we have been through and under the direction of our Secretary, Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu.]

For this year, Abrogar said TESDA has an estimated 12,000 scholarship slots to offer.

“Well, we have been given more or less 12,000 slots for Region 12 at the beginning of the year based on the National Expenditure Program and the General Appropriations Act, but we are expecting and hoping that this will be increased,” he stated.

Abrogar emphasized that the implementation of TVET programs has been very successful in the region, since they have the highest financial utilization among all the regions nationwide.

“As to employment, the last figures we have for 2022 show that we are in the top 3 in the entire country when it comes to the employment rate of our graduates,” he said, adding that the graduates of Region 12 usually end up in employment.

The official highlighted that TESDA’s implementation of TVET programs is aligned with the area-based demand-driven policy of the agency, which means the programs should be responsive to the needs of the industries and the training will open jobs for the graduates.

Johnny Nambong, from Kidapawan City and a graduate of various TVET courses, believes TESDA’s program is an important stepping stone in reaching one’s goal.

“Malaki ang naitulong ng programa ng TESDA sa buhay ko dahil nagagamit ko ang mga natutunan ko sa mga training sa aking business ngayon,” Nambong said, as he pointed out the importance of returning the favor to the people by helping them with the learnings he acquired from TESDA training.

[The TESDA program has helped me a lot because I can use what I learned in the training in my business today.]

Nambong, who underwent various technical vocational (techvoc) trainings such as housekeeping, bread and pastry, cookery, and many others, now owns and manages an event catering business.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa TESDA kasi nagkaroon ako ng negosyo at napalago ko ito. Sa TESDA, abot lahat ng mga pangarap. Kapag may skills, talent, at tiyaga, makahahanap ka ng trabaho,” Nambong said, encouraging other individuals to avail of the programs of TESDA. 

[I am thankful to TESDA because I now have a business and have been able to grow it. At TESDA, all dreams come true. When you have skills, talent, and perseverance, you can find a job.]

He is currently an accredited competency assessor for different NC II courses in TESDA. Moreover, Nambong is a TVET career ambassador in the region.

Meanwhile, Abrogar encouraged interested individuals to visit their respective TESDA provincial offices for further details about TVET programs, emphasizing that TESDA programs will be even more reinforced, particularly in far-flung barangays.

“Para sa ating kababayan, aasahan niyo po ang patuloy na pagserbisyo ng TESDA. Our office will always be open, our trainings will be open, and our institutions are ready for the services to be given sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

[For our compatriots, please expect the continued service of TESDA. Our office will always be open, and so will our training offerings. Our institutions are ready for the services that we provide to our countrymen.] (SJDM - PIA Cotabato Province)