Tesda sets search for top alumni

Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva. tesda.gov.ph photo

MANILA, Philippines—The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority has launched a search for the first time for outstanding Tesda graduates as part of its anniversary celebration next month.

Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva said the search, called “Tesda Best, Batang Tesda 2012,” aims to give recognition to Tesda graduates under the age of 30 who have excelled in their respective fields.

“It’s time to turn our attention to the young graduates. Their success stories are testaments that there are promising careers from technical vocational education,” Villanueva said in a statement.

Launched last month, the search will choose a national winner and two runners-up from regional nominees.

Tesda will announce the winners in August, when the agency celebrates its 18th anniversary.

Tesda said nominees “should have an outstanding achievement in his/her line of trade either as an employee or an entrepreneur.”

They will be required to submit their skills certification, Tesda training programs attended, and details of their career history for the judges’ evaluation.

“Highlighting the achievements of the young specialists will also boost the morale of other Tesda graduates and raise public awareness and acceptance of technical vocational training,” said Villanueva.

Unemployed youth

Villanueva noted that the youth sector needed the most help from the government as the sector had the highest number of unemployed individuals, with 2.3 million still jobless as of January 2012, comprising more than half of the total number of unemployed Filipinos.

Tesda has also been working to raise the employment rate among its graduates. Figures from the Department of Labor showed that 60 percent of Tesda graduates are employed, three times the 20 percent employment rate of college graduates, Villanueva said.

“The old paradigm that tells us to get good grades, go to college is a luxury for the few. There’s an alternative in technical vocational training. Our choices should not be limited,” Villanueva said.