1st National TVET Conference
The first ever Don Bosco National TVET Conference with the theme “Increase Impact of TVET as approach for qualifying marginalized youth and poverty alleviation in the Philippines” was organized by the Don Bosco – One TVET Philippines Inc. (DB1TVET) under the support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Don Bosco Mondo.
Fr. Jose Dindo S. Vitug, SDB, executive director of Don Bosco – One TVET Philippines, Inc. opened the conference and welcomed the participants.
“Based on the recent Tracer Study with 5998 Don Bosco TVET graduates from 2016 to 2018 as respondents, 90.6% find and secure jobs within the first 6 months after graduation that’s 20.6% more than the 70% national rate of TESDA graduates that is already considerably high,” Fr. Vitug added that in order to alleviate poverty among the marginalized youth through TVET, institutions should see them through and give them the capability to learn skills that meet industry demands.
More than 230 participants who are mainly industry and thought leaders, TESDA officials and heads of various TVET institutions attended the 2-day event.
The first day of the conference focused on Holistic and Quality Education and with TESDA Spokesperson Dir. Florencio Sunico as keynote speaker lauding the efforts of Don Bosco One TVET Philippines in pushing for the TVET advocacy in the country.
During the 1st day of the conference, Fr. Onofre Inocencio, SDB, Dean of Don Bosco College Canlubang gave the presentation, “Implementing the PQF Level 5 for TVET Programs: The CALABARZON Initiative”. Followed by a panel discussion on various quality, competency and certification for TVET Institutions: Engr. Tristan Arwen G. Loveres of TÜV Rheinald Philippines, Inc discussed about the ISO Accreditation and the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s TVET initiative, Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane of the Colombo Plan Staff College explained the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission, TESDA Certification Office Executive Director Ma. Susan P. Dela Rama walked the crowd through the TESDA STAR Rating, and Don Bosco One TVET Philippines National Compliance Officer Mr. Neil Dichoso unveiled the Don Bosco TVET Holistic Tool.
On the second part of Day 1, SEAMEO Voctech Deputy Director Professional Affairs/Research Specialist Dr. Paryono gave a discussion about the paper, “The Role of TVET In Fostering Inclusive Growth At The Local Level In Southeast Asia” followed by “The TVET Enrollment Demographic and Marketing Trends” by Edukasyon.ph’s Chief of Partnerships Ms. Grace David.
The second day of the conference focused on looking back through the Don Bosco Tracer Study and fostering a stronger partnership with the industry, 2019 senatorial race topnotcher Sen. Cynthia Villar and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman George Barcelon gave the keynote speech.
Chief TESDA specialist Floramel Joy Songsong opened the day with her discussion on Dual Training System (DTS) Programs and Dualized Training Programs (DTP) which paved the way in understanding its benefits and further cooperation with industry partners and members of the chamber of commerce who were present in the conference. The discussion was further enhanced by PCCI Human Resources Development Foundation, Inc. President Dr. Alfredo Fenix Jr giving the industry’s perspective with his topic, “Establishing National Dual Education and Training System.”
On the 2nd part of Day 2, Don Bosco One TVET Philippines, inc. Dr. Marc Laurenze Celis presented the Don Bosco Tracer Study and invited on stage two alumni from Don Bosco Liloan, Machining NC II graduate Jahson Micaros and Don Bosco Tondo, Housekeeping & Food Beverage Servicing NC II graduate GINO M. VIVAR.
“I would express my gratitude to the TVET program of Don Bosco because without this program, I would not be able to be of what I am now today,” said Micaros. “Not all successful people graduate with a college degree, others come from TVET.”
The conference was encapsulated by the achievements of Don Bosco One TVET Philippines, Inc by Fr. Jose Dindo S. Vitug, SDB where he fortified Don Bosco TVET Center’s roles in the next years to come in continuing the work for the out of school youth and the poor.
