THE MEMBERS of the Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM 2 stressed the importance of forging partnerships with companies and industry stakeholders in enhancing the skills of vocational students.

EDCOM2 members made the statement following the first round of site visits for the Technical Vocational Education and Training and Lifelong Learning priority areas.

Members of the commission visited the Don Bosco Youth Center in Tondo, Manila, FAST Logistics in Cabuyao, Laguna, and Toyota Motors Philippines School of Technology in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

During the site visit to Don Bosco, EDCOM 2 invited twelve industry partners who shared best practices, challenges and policy recommendations for TVET.

Also during the visit, Fr. Vester Casaclang, TVET Administrator, showcased the site’s programs and highlighted their partnerships with different institutions to make programs more affordable for their students.

He cited that for their plumbing programs, German plumbing fixture manufacturer Grohe provides students with industry-based training. The students are also given the necessary tools they needed for the program.

“Importante po sa amin talaga ‘yung partnerships…We have been lucky enough na we have met companies na may puso, na may kaluluwa. Ang dami po talagang may puso — kailangan lang po nilang madinig na kailangan natin ng tulong nila,” Vester said.

Don Bosco highlighted their challenge of needing an accreditation as an NGO from the Philippine Council for NGO Certification, apart from their accreditation as a TESDA Technical-Vocational Institution, in order to qualify for the incentives.

The Association of Hugom and Laiya Resort Owners, Inc., meanwhile, detailed their K to 12 PLUS project in Laiya where they expanded the regular TVL Curriculum from 80 hours of immersion to 200 hours.

They implemented a rotation plan for their students, where they split them into two batches, rotating between school and work immersion among their member-companies.

TMP-Tech established partnerships with Toyota dealerships nationwide, where each dealership sponsors one scholar per batch of students who take their Automotive Repairing and Automotive Painting courses, both of which are equivalent to National Certification Level II.