Educational attainment is considered as one of the most powerful tools and a stepping stone in achieving one’s goal to land into a white-collar job. However, for some choosing a career is not that easy. There are so many things to consider such as field of interest, financial incapacity and others. To support the educational needs of Filipinos, the Philippine Government provides Technical-Vocational Education. It is a kind of education where you can learn, enhance practical skills and knowledge that will be of help in employment.
Technical-vocational education in the Philippines has always been an unpopular choice among high school graduates because it is perceived that getting a technical-vocational education is not glamorous as there is no prestige, no recognition, no job security and no professional status in working in the technical-vocational field. In short, having a technical-vocational background is considered inferior compared to a university degree and only the ‘bobo’ enroll in these courses.
Tech-voc professionals should be regarded as graduates with equal opportunity, job security, professional status, and recognition to our society that professionals of 4- year higher education programs enjoy.
This kind of notion should be eradicated because “Hindi bobo ang Pinoy technical-vocational graduates.” If our technical-vocational institutes (TVI) are managed and monitored well, they will be able to produce world-class and skilled graduates who can compete strongly against our neighboring countries. Tech-voc graduates fill an important role in different industries in the country and overseas. And if our tech-voc graduates become job-ready and globally competitive, they could contribute a lot to the national income and economic. One industry that is in dire need of skills and various technical knowhow is the service industry, and we are talking worldwide here, what a big void to fill!
Highly-industrialized countries like Japan, Singapore, and Korea have made necessary advancements in their educational system, focusing on academic excellence and technological innovation. These progressive countries teach their citizens to become productive, income-generating and contribute to the national coffers. They put emphasis on the quality of products and service and really invested in technical training. These countries believe in the strength of their manpower and their role in the national economy.
According to Tony Galvez, President of Technical and Vocational Schools and Associations in the Philippines or TEVSAPHIL-National and an expert in the technical and vocational education and training industry in the country:
“Philippine TVET ang pag-asa para sa kinabukasan ng mamamayan at ng bayan, kung maayos at maganda ang programa.” Continue reading