IN A bid to align its training standards according to industry trends and international commitment, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has amended the Training Regulations (TRs) for Housekeeping NC III and NC IV qualifications falling under the tourism sector.
Tesda, through the Qualifications and Standards Office and in partnership with Tourism Industry Board Foundation Inc. (TIBFI), accredited the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Master Trainers/Master Assessors and the Department of Tourism (DOT), initiated the review of the Training Regulations for the said qualifications or training courses following the developments in technology and current trends in the demands of the industry.
The amendment of the TRs on housekeeping primarily aims to align the standards of the agency with the Asean Common Competency Standards for Tourism Professionals (ACCSTP) for the implementation of Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) of tourism qualifications in the Asean region.
In compliance with this international commitment, Tesda has integrated the 21st century skills, gender and development (GAD) sensitivity, safety and health, and green knowledge and skills to the basic, common and core competencies of the existing training regulations.
According to Secretary Isidro Lapeña, Tesda Director General, these revised training regulations aim to further promote qualifications and competencies that are in-demand, environment-friendly and ensure their compliance with prevailing industry standards.
"The demand and skills requirements of hotel and restaurant businesses are constantly changing, and so Tesda should also keep up with the training we provide," the Tesda chief said.
With the introduction of new competencies in both levels of Housekeeping, nominal training hours were also expanded from 76 hours to 264 hours for Housekeeping NC III and from 112 hours to 357 hours for Housekeeping NC IV.
The revised training regulation on Housekeeping NC III consist of competencies to deliver and supervise housekeeping service operations in Tourism and Hospitality-related enterprises.
Aside from being housekeeping supervisor and floor supervisor, graduates can now land to more job opportunities as public area supervisor, linen/uniform supervisor and laundry supervisor.
Furthermore, the training regulation for Housekeeping NC IV now includes competencies on planning and scheduling routine maintenance, repairs of physical assets, planning and managing housekeeping services for guests, managing lost and found procedures, managing inventory, storage and issuance of linen and uniform, and managing laundry/valet service.
Among the jobs available for the graduates in the new training regulation on Housekeeping NC IV are housekeeping assistant manager, housekeeping manager, head housekeeper, assistant housekeeper administrator, assistant executive housekeeper and laundry manager.
"The international standards and the demand on businesses are also continuously growing and so Tesda should keep up with the training we provide," Lapeña added.
Tesda utilizes TRs as the basis for competency assessment and certification, registration and delivery of training programs, and development of curriculum and assessment instruments. (PR)