TACLOBAN CITY– The Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) in Leyte has vowed to initiate more innovative and relevant technical vocational education and training (TVET) in 2025 to meet the evolving demands of the labor market.
One of these innovations is the current trend in the education sector to embed TVET in the senior high school program of the Department of Education as presented in a recent Stakeholders Forum and Partners Recognition ceremony conducted by TESDA Leyte.
The embedment of TVET qualifications in all Senior High School tracks follows the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to improve the senior high school graduates’ employability and to promote lifelong learning.
By embedding at least one Training Regulation in every grade level in the SHS, a learner may earn two National Certificates (NCs). The goal is to make learners workforce-ready and become employable.
The embedment of TVET in SHS academic strands is also a response to the findings of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, entitled “Employability of the Senior High School Graduates: Evidence from the Labor Force Survey”, and the DOLE -JobStreet Senior High School Employability Survey, both of which suggest the necessity of reevaluating the work preparation element in the Senior High School curriculum.
The embedment of the TVET program in the revised senior high school curriculum is contained in a joint memorandum circular signed last year between TESDA and DepEd.
Meanwhile, TESDA Leyte Provincial Director Vivian E. Abueva emphasized on the value of collaboration in undertaking the wide opportunities for TVET graduates and national certificate holders both local and abroad.
She noted that the successful implementation of TESDA programs in Leyte has been made possible through convergence efforts and support from the stakeholders sharing the same vision and goals – inclusive and sustainable growth. The convergence efforts and support from the stakeholders sharing the same vision and goals take an important role.
TESDA’s eight-point agenda includes: Access to TVET; Behavior and Mindset Change; Competency Standards and TRs for New and Higher-Level Qualifications; Demand-Driven and Data-Driven TVET; Employment Outcomes; Flexible Learning, and Facilities; Global Competitiveness, and Good Housekeeping; and, Harmonization with SHS Curriculum, Ladderization with Higher Education, and Lifelong Learning Pathways.
