DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, May 23 (PIA) -- The 2022 Negros Oriental Provincial Skills Competition officially opened with the contests focused on 14 areas of technical-vocational (tech-voc) competencies.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Negros Oriental led the opening rites on May 23 at Robinsons Place Dumaguete.

TESDA Supervising Specialist Beth Aimee Tubog, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio, Negros Oriental provincial government consultant Dr. Henry Sojor (representing Gov. Roel Degamo) and President of Technical-Vocational institutions (TVIs) in Negros Oriental Dr. Delma Manila led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the competition.

The skills competition provides an avenue for tech-voc graduates and learners to compete and demonstrate their competencies in vocational skills using task and industry-based scenarios.

“This is also an assurance to our industry partners that the TVET graduates in Negros Oriental can compete locally and globally,” Tubog said, as she delivered a message during the event in behalf of TESDA Provincial Director Joel Villagracia.

There are five participating TVIs in this year’s provincial skills competition, namely: Asian College, Metro Dumaguete College, Foundation University, Provincial Training Center Dumaguete and Team Skills Dumaguete.

Participants will be competing in the following competencies: cooking, baking, cyber security, electronics, floristry, graphics design, hotel reception, IT software solution for business, mobile robotics, restaurant services, web technology, patisserie and confectionery, wall and floor tile setting, and information network cabling.

Sojor encouraged the competitors to continue developing their skills and be generous in sharing their skills to the community.

He also expressed the provincial government’s continued support to this endeavor.

“The governor has told us that he will continue to support this very important program because NegOrenses are on top when it comes to skills and abilities. I very am happy to see (schools here) and there should be more schools to join (here). We will show our competence and we will show our competitiveness,” he said.

On the other hand, Manila urged participants to never stop acquiring additional skills.

“Mastering a broad spectrum of skills makes you more flexible. Honing skills increases your chances of success,” Manila said.

The Provincial Skills Competition will run until May 27 in the following venues:

• Robinsons Place Dumaguete - Bakery (May 25-26); Cooking (May 24); Restaurant Service (May 24-26); Floristry (May 26)
• Foundation University - Hotel Reception (May 25); Cyber Security (May 24-25)
• Asian College - Electronics (May 24-26); IT Software Solutions for Business (May 24-25); Patisserie and Confectionery (May 23-24)
• Metro Dumaguete College - Graphics Design Technology (May 25-26); Information Network Cabling (May 25-26); Mobile Robotics (May 24-26); Web technologies (May 25-26)
• Training Center Dumaguete - May 24-26 

The conduct of skills competition is mandated under TESDA Act of 1990, which aims “to promote quality skills development in the country and with the view of participating in international skills competitions."

The local skills competition will culminate in a series of provincial, regional and national skills competition.

Winners at the regional level will vie for gold in the national skills competition, and winners at the national level will undergo further training to prepare them for the international skills competitions. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)