KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) — Stronger collaboration between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) is being eyed to develop better skilled senior high school (SHS) graduates, a TESDA official confirmed.
“This is President Marcos’ directive after he saw from a TESDA presentation, the importance of embedded technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a way to produce multi-skilled Filipinos in the future,” Atty. Rabmor Thomas Bartolome, TESDA South Cotabato Provincial Director told the Philippine Information Agency in a recent interview.
Bartolome told PIA that TESDA initially presented a proposal on the inclusion of TVET qualifications in the senior high school curriculum in February, 2024.
“During the meeting, President Marcos ordered a whole-of-government approach with the private sector to integrate TESDA courses in senior high school for better employability,” he said.
Bartolome added that the strategy is four-pronged.
First, embedding TVET into the senior high school curriculum to empower graduates with marketable skills, enhancing their employability and preparing them for the demands of the modern workforce.
Second, bringing the TESDA training to the barangays through the TESDA sa Barangay.
“The TESDA sa Barangay complements our priority of devolving lower-level qualifications to LGUs by providing capacity building of barangay workers, training of communities, and training of trainers,” he said.
Third, pursuing area-based demand-driven TVET and higher-level qualifications.
TESDA, he explained, shall focus on developing and offering high-level qualifications that are responsive to the needs of the industry.
Fourth, institutionalizing mandatory assessment for SHS technical-vocational-livelihood (TVL) learners.
Regarding this, the official noted that on May 10, 2024 TESDA and DepEd issued a Joint Memorandum Circular titled “Ensuring Quality-Assured Assessment for Certification of Senior High School Technical Vocational Livelihood Track.”
The circular aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the competency assessment and certification program toward enhancing the job readiness of SHS TVL learners.
It also outlines the guidelines on the capacity building and accreditation of DepEd SHS teachers as competency assessors for the SHS-TVL track, Bartolome elaborated further.
Meanwhile, TESDA, DepEd, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) have also signed another circular to integrate TVET into all SHS tracks. This initiative aims to equip the youth with industry-relevant skills and knowledge, thereby significantly enhancing their workforce readiness and employability.
TESDA reiterates that the comprehensive approach will significantly enhance workforce readiness and employability for all graduates, equipping them with industry-relevant skills and knowledge for successful careers. (DED – PIA Region 12)
