THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Davao Region (Tesda-Davao) said they are now prioritizing construction, agriculture, and information and communication technology (ICT)-related skills for their graduates and future employees under their program.
Remegias Timonio, assistant regional director of Tesda-Davao, said such skills, which Tesda identifies as area-based skill requirements, seek compatibility with the usual demand of jobs nowadays.
Tesda defines area-based skills as skills that are identified as industry and concerned stakeholders’ priority in the area.
These are also skills “responsive to the critical needs defined by the industries and employers to produce rightfully skilled workers in specific area or locality”.
“We are prioritizing on construction, agriculture, ICT-related programs, because of digitization that will respond to the industry and siyempre depende din sa needs ng industry,” Timonio said.
Aside from the skills mentioned, Tesda reportedly had also particularly shifted its focus to higher technical and vocational educational training as well as adopting other countries’ best practices.
Tesda Deputy Director General Aniceto "John" Bertiz III said their agency is now “aggressively focusing” on the digital revolutions and training for technology, such as cybersecurity, robotics, and smart healthcare.
"Tesda is now focusing on high-tech training and implementing best practices from other countries," Bertiz III said.
Notably, the Department of Labor and Employment - Davao Region (Dole-Davao) had also welcomed probabilities of hiring more specified roles and specialized skills relevant to the job, such as maneuvering agricultural drones, and other technological advancements.
Lorraine Grace Ugsang, the employment focal person of Dole-Davao said that in collaboration with Tesda, they can effectively train individuals to fill entry-level positions, "hard-to-fill jobs," and work in high demand. ICE with reports from PNA