Graduating high school students urged to take tech voc courses

MANILA, Philippines - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) urged graduating high school students to consider technical vocational education and training (TVET) as their next step in their education.

TESDA director general Joel Villanueva said TVET is “equally worthwhile and as rewarding as college.”

“I know the idea of a college or university education is always appealing. But TVET is more affordable, hands-on, and the path to a good job is shorter. TVET is a system that turns out skilled workers who are the backbone of the Philippines’ thriving economy,” Villanueva said.

Having a college diploma is not the only assurance that one would have a good job, according to Villanueva.

“Gone were the times when graduating with a college degree was a passport to the world of full-time job. Choosing the right course now is the key for future career prospects,” he said.

Villanueva maintained the market is changing and “it is now looking for recruits who already have the right set of usable skills.” TESDA records showed that enrollment in various courses registered 1.7 million, up from the 1.5 million enrollees in 2011.

Of the total enrollees last year, about 1.5 million finished their course, and 935,230 individuals took the assessment.

Records showed that of the graduates who were assessed, 803,350 were certified in their respective specializations.