The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) VIII Regional Director Dan M. Navarro praised a multi-sector collaboration involving the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the local government units (LGUs) of Kananga and Ormoc City, TESDA, and the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (PASAR).
The partnership aims to empower local communities by addressing unemployment through skills training and employment initiatives, marking a transformative approach to regional development.
A Unified Effort for Skills Development
TESDA, a cornerstone of national technical education, has consistently emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving its goals. Speaking to the media, Director Navarro emphasized that such achievements are impossible without collaboration.
“TESDA cannot do this alone,” he remarked, highlighting the critical roles played by LGUs, led by their respective mayors, in integrating TESDA programs into local development plans.
He also stressed the need to harmonize efforts between TESDA, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and LGUs, which he described as the “mother of all agencies.”
This partnership model, embodied in the Kananga-EDC Institute of Technology Educational Foundation, Inc. (KEITECH), has been heralded as a game-changer.
Established in 2009 as part of EDC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, KEITECH has trained over 1,200 graduates, achieving an employment rate exceeding 90%. The program’s curriculum is designed to impart technical skills and instill values and life skills essential for the workforce.
Market-Ready Graduates and Economic Impact
PASAR’s involvement underscores the program’s focus on industry alignment, with plans to establish a TESDA school to create a “help local, hire local” employment ecosystem.
Navarro reiterated the importance of ensuring that graduates are marketable and equipped with skills demanded by high-growth sectors like construction, metals and engineering, and tourism.
KEITECH’s success is evident in its 100% pass rate for TESDA certification exams, a testament to the program’s rigor and industry relevance.
The initiative also addresses the challenge of unemployment and low income in the region, exacerbated by the area’s susceptibility to natural disasters.
By empowering locals with employable skills, the collaboration fosters self-reliance and supports the sustainability goals of EDC, which operates the Tongonan Geothermal Field.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.