TESDA holds competency assessment beginning July

CEBU, Philippines - Some 1,268 skilled workers, trainers and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates and graduating students in Cebu are expected to benefit from the second National TVET Competency Assessment and Certification (NATCAC) Week, which will be held on three separate dates across the country.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is set to conduct the assessment on July 9-20, August 20-31 and October 15-26.

Buenafe S. Sta. Rita, TESDA Provincial Director, said the program is free of charge.

In a statement, TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said that if the students are able to hurdle all required competencies, they will be given a national certificate that they can use in applying for jobs in fields that are highly in demand and good-paying.

Villanueva said one of the synchronized assessment's primary objectives is to increase the number of certified Filipino workers and TVET graduates so they can be qualified for good jobs.

NATCAC is a simultaneous conduct of competency assessment and certification in identified key qualifications that are hard to find but with high industry demand.

The assessment will be available to skilled workers, TVET graduates and graduating students of registered programs in the following courses: Shielded metal arc welding NC II, commercial cooking, housekeeping NC II, food processing NC II, bartending NC II, food and beverages NC I, carpenter NC II, reinforced steek bar installation NC II, automotive NC II, driving NC II, electrical installation and maintenance NC II, plumbing NC II, visual graphics NC III, front office service NC II and machining NC III.

Sta. Rita said the assessment centers in Cebu City will be located at the BMC Training Center in Barangay Mabolo, Global Power Skills Development Center in Barangay Banilad, MGB-SDC in Barangay Lahug, Primary Structure Education Foundation Inc. along V. Rama Avenue and at TESDA VII.

The assessment centers outside Cebu City will be located in Barangay Poblacion in Carmen, Barangay Guimbawi-an in Daanbantayan, Barangay Calajo-an in Minglanilla, Barangay Poblacion in Samboan, and Barangay Ilihan in Toledo City.

The TESDA provincial and district offices are in charge of processing of the applications. They will also inform the applicant of his or her assessment schedule. – (FREEMAN)