TESDA XI to deliver adaptable training methodologies

GIVEN THE  current imposed public health safety measures due to COVID-19, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA XI) is going to adapt to Blended Learning and Online Learning with their Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach. 

The said approach that TESDA XI is going to utilize is for individuals who wish to seek gainful employment through acquiring skills in vocational given the current quarantine status of most localities in Region XI. The said mode of training is currently streamlined to the specific needs and requirements of community quarantined areas in the region.

TESDA XI Regional Director Engineer Lorenzo Macapili discussed how the current demands of the present will not negate the functions of TESDA in training persons in their respective fields of specialty.

“Dili buot pasabot nga pandemic, wala na’y Technical Vocational Education Training program – no – the agency, the government will not allow that. We really have to continue providing the technical vocational education training services to the public with some adjustments utilizing the appropriate training modalities (Just because it’s the time of pandemic does not mean that there will be no Techincal Vocational Education Training program),” Macapili said.     

Regional Director Macapili bared how the said learning strategy is going to greatly benefit learners in areas with or without internet connectivity since TESDA has already prepared or is preparing the necessary learning materials for both available modes of learning.

For TVET learners who have easy and direct access to the internet, TESDA XI is offering a set of learning materials that will further their skill through multimedia tutorial kits.

“Himuon namo una, through online ang basic and common competencies - katong mga eskwelahan ug lugar nga naa’y infrastructure (internet) – so i-continue namo na. Katong butang na pwede ipakita sa audio/video ginahimo na namo na ron,” RD Macapili said.

Since there are also numerous areas in the Region with no connectivity to the internet, TESDA XI also is preparing a set of learning materials that individuals taking up the current TVET programs can avail of despite the current community quarantine that is in place.

“Katong mga walay (internet) infrastructure – sa mga barangays – we will develop the self-learning kits and this is now ongoing,” RD Macapili added.

TESDA XI recognizes the need for learners to actually hone their respective skills by putting theory to practice and that is why authorities in the said agency of the government is planning out possible solutions that will be appropriate to the current COVID-19 pandemic.  

“Lahi man giyud tung sila mismo ang mu experience gyud (It is really different if they (learners) will experience it (training) themselves) … the learner’s objective is for him to be gainfully employed in the near future and he has to experience it so naa’y face-to-face so tan-awon namo na kung kanusa ma-allow na giyud ang face-to-face (…there will be a face-to-face training but we’ll have to assess when this will be already possible),” RD Macapili mentioned.   (By Kevin Caro)