THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) on Monday announced the promulgation of 20 new and amended training regulations (TRs) in Automotive, Construction, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Tourism to strengthen industry-academe linkages to address any skills-job mismatches in critical sectors.
The Tesda Board, chaired by the agency’s director general, Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, said the new TRs were developed in close coordination and consultation with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and according to the requirements of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and electric cooperatives in the country.
Of the 20 newly promulgated TRs, two qualifications, Electric Power Distribution Operation and Maintenance (EPDOM) NC III and NC IV, are newly formulated.
The graduates of training programs for EPDOM NC III and NC IV will be workers that will fill supervisory positions in their respective companies.
Included among the amended TRs are the following:
- Under the Automotive and Land Transportation sector: Automotive Servicing NC I;
- Construction: Masonry NC I, Masonry NC II, Masonry NC III, Pipefitting (Metallic) NC II, Tile Setting NC II, Scaffolding Works NC II (Supported Type Scaffold), Carpentry NC II and Carpentry NC III;
- Electrical and Electronics: Electric Power Distribution Line Construction NC II, and the two new qualifications, EPDOM NC III and NC IV;
- ICT: Animation NC II, 2D Animation NC III, 3D Animation NC III, Visual Graphic Design NC III and Web Development NC III;
- Tourism: Food and Beverage Services NC III and NC IV; and
- Technical Vocational Training and Education (TVET) Trainers Methodology Level 1 (In-Company Trainer).
Likewise, the TRs were developed in response to the needs of employers, as well as to further promote qualifications and competencies that are in-demand, environment-friendly and conform with existing industry standards.
The newly promulgated TRs have incorporated 21st-century skills for all the qualifications or courses, such as Learning and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Information and Technology, Entrepreneurship, Life and Career Skills, Environment Literacy, Occupational Health and Safety, Communication, and Teamwork and Collaboration.
Meanwhile, Tesda also announced 73 new assessment fees based on recommendations provided by the National Tax Resource Center (NTRC), as well as the prevailing inflation rate.
As of December 2018, some 101 assessment fees have been updated and promulgated and, currently, the assessment fees of newer or amended TRs are being reviewed.
The newly promulgated TRs and assessment fees are the result of careful study, coordination and extensive consultation with industry partners, stakeholders and concerned government agencies.
To ensure full and proper utilization of the newly amended TRs, Lapeña instructed Tesda regional, provincial and district directors to entice and implement registration and reregistration of the mentioned training programs.