To address challenges in the TVET sector, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is expanding its Dual Training System (DTS) in technical-vocational (tech-voc) courses.
In his message for DTS Week, TESDA's Deputy Director General Tonisito Umali said that DTS is a good way to train students not only in theories, basic skills, and general education but also in the practical skills they will learn in the workplace.
"With the assistance of our partner industries, our trainees are exposed to actual work conditions and receive hands-on experience and guidance from equally qualified training coordinators. Moreover, in addition to skill proficiency and increased productivity, the DTS enables them to develop work ethics and values," he said.
DTS is a type of training that includes both classroom and hands-on learning. It is called "dual training" because learning happens alternately in the school or training center and the company or workshop.
It is also one of TESDA's Enterprise-Based Training (EBT) program's training options. Other EBT programs are the Program on Accelerating Farm School Establishment (PAFSE), the Apprenticeship Program, the Learnership Program, and Supervised Industry Learning.
DDG Umali said that strengthening the DTS in the country will help deal with unemployment and a lack of skills, especially among young people and those who have finished high school and tech-voc courses.
According to the TESDA official, they must guarantee that there will always be jobs and opportunities for middle-level Filipino workers whose skills align with and meet global standards.
The DTS week is held from October 21 to October 28 to keep WET stakeholders interested. It is hoped that it will be easier for industry partners and institutions to collaborate and adopt the dual training system.
It is also observed following Proclamation No. 884 s. 1996. The theme for this year was "Sa TESDA at Industriya, Ekonomiya at Aarangkada." —iTacloban (Source: TESDA)