Saturday, August 04, 2007 Lesser mismatch of skill, job opportunities: Tesda By Grace L. Plata
THE Technical Education Skills Development Authority (Tesda) claimed its yearly consultations with industries have made it possible to decrease the mismatch of skills and employment opportunities.
Tesda-Southern Mindanao Information Officer Mafel Negrido said the fora that have been going on for three years now have helped define the training courses that will be helpful to their students and increase their chances of getting hired.
"Dati kasi nagtataka tayo (in the past we wonder) why with the numerous employment opportunties, unemployment rate is still high. This is because the skills of graduates are not matched with the jobs available. Kaya (so) with regards to technical-vocational courses and the Ladderized Education Program, Tesda makes it a point to consult with industries so that we will be able to pinpoint the training needed which are apt and will fit with the demands of the employers," Negrido said.
Negrido added that the industries even take part in formulating the training regulations that are used by Tesda to make sure it is up to quality standards. Thus, Tesda's Certificate of Completion (COC) awarded to graduates is recognized by local and international employers.
According to Negrido, this is not something that is true with other educational institutions and because of this there is still a tendency for over supply of laborers for limited slots in an industry or shortage of skilled workers for a sector which needs a lot of manpower.
