THE first Visayas-Mindanao 2017 Zonal Skills Competition, which showcases the technical skills of students in different trade areas, kicked off on Monday in Davao City.
Technical Skills and Development Authority (Tesda) is the host for the Zonal Skills Competition that will be held at the Regional Training Center, Davao (RTC-KPVTC Davao) in Buhisan, Tibungco; Philippine Womens College, Juna Subdivision and Arlyn L. Basquez Academy of Beauty at Roxas Avenue.
“The program aims to showcase the skills excellence of Technical-Vocational (Tech-Voc) Trainees and Graduates in promoting World Class competence from nine provinces of Visays-Mindanao region,” Tesda Davao Region regional director Gaspar Gayona said.
The areas of competition were adopted and aligned with the Asean Skills Competition standards such as automotive technology, beauty therapy, cooking, electrical installation, electronics, graphic design technology, hairdressing, information network cabling, IT network systems administration, IT software solutions for business, mechanical engineering CADD, mechatronics, plumbing and heating refrigeration and air-conditioning, restaurant services, web designing, welding and fashion design.
A total of 62 individuals from Visayas and Mindanao are competing in the four-day skills competition.
Winners will receive medals and certificates on Friday during the awarding rites.
They will also advance to the Battle of the Best for Philippine National Skills Competition in January next year where slots to the 12th Asean Skills Competition in Thailand in September 2018 are at stake.
In an interview, Tesda-Northern Mindanao director Lorenzo Makapili said they are fielding their representatives and hopes that they will win.
“Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) is obliged to participate so this is the first time that Visayas and Mindanao regions joined forces to make sure that we are able to produce good competitors for the forthcoming PNSC,” he said.
He said that Region 10 is entered in IT, cookery, automobile, electronics, welding. They have sent 10 participants including two women.
“We make sure that women will win the PNSC. I hope it will come from region 10,” he said.