ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 25 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Zamboanga City - Isabela City District Office (ZC-ICDO) is expecting up to 5,000 slots allocation for the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program this 2023.

The office is now in the second phase of implementation of its TVET scholarship programs in their area of jurisdiction.

District Director Omarkhayyam Dalagan said that the implementation is going smoothly so far.

"There are already completers or graduates who will now undergo the competency assessment and certification so that they can have their National Certificate Level 2 (NC2) which is a requirement if they apply for work local or international,” Dalagan said.

To date, TESDA ZC-ICDO has only 2,000 slots for TVET even with the high demand of the scholarship. However, Dalagan is confident that more slots will be coming in the district office for the 3rd and 4th quarter of the program’s implementation.

“We are not worried because the city mayor is very supportive of TESDA’s thrust and we are doing everything to increase our slots allocation for Zamboanga City and Isabela City, considering the size of population of Zamboanga City, and the presence of so many industries especially canning industry and manufacturing,” Dalagan added.

Mayor John Dalipe cited the significance of strengthening collaboration to ensure quality TVET programs in this part of the country. 

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to quality TVET and recognize the transformative power of vocational skills and education. Together we can create an ecosystem that nurtures talent, fosters innovation and embraces the potential of every individual, Dalipe said.

TESDA gives Php160 daily allowances to all its training program beneficiaries.

For TVET, TESDA is currently introducing the diploma program which is a scholarship type, three-year program. It gives free tuition, book allowances, and daily allowances of Php160.00 for deserving TVET beneficiaries. Each student is entitled to Php 45,000.00 per semester. All graduates of Senior High are qualified to apply.

Under this program, courses include: Diploma in Nursing Management Technology, Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Diploma in Information Communication Technology, and Diploma in Dental Assistance Course, among others.

This program is running for two years already with 504 beneficiaries in Zamboanga City that are currently enrolled at Universidad de Zamboanga, Southern City Colleges, Winzelle International College and Asia's Latin City Training Institute.

“The first batch is on their 3rd year, and we are hoping for new slots for incoming first year students by July to be allocated to Zamboanga City,” Dalagan said.

After three years, there is already credit transfer and pathways wherein the Commission on Higher Education and TESDA signed a memorandum of agreement, wherein a graduate of diploma program can proceed to take the degree courses without going back to 1st and 2nd year.

“They can proceed to 3rd year or 4th year, as long as there is a career pathway. In the memorandum of agreement entered into, if it has been stipulated, that this school and the degree courses offered in the school have the same subjects then a student can proceed to take the degree,” Dalagan explains.  

To supplement the implementation of TVET program to include the diploma programs, the Zamboanga City-Isabela City District Office is expecting more than Php 100 million budget allocation.  (RVC/CCP/PIA9)