A call for licensing tech-voc courses: Ensuring the safety and health of the public

“There should be a law that regulates license with technical vocational vocations and not to simply give an assessment just as TESDA had been doing. We should make Tech-Voc vocations professionals too for the protection of consumers/customers,” beauty guru and image consultant Tony Galvez said in a recent interview.

Galvez is currently  the President of the Technical and Vocational Schools of Quezon City, Vice President for Domestic Affairs and Public Relations for TEVSAPHIL (Technical Vocational Schools Association of the Philippines) NATIONAL, and Chairman TEVSAPHIL National Advocacy Committee. Tevsaphil is composed of private technical-vocational education and training (TVET) institutions that offer programs under the supervision of the Technical Education and Skills Development authority (Tesda) & individual private institutions offering similar education and training programs.

He revealed that his group, TEVSAPHIL-QC, has already laid down the ground for the licensing of workers and graduates of the tech-voc professions.

If  Tech-Voc vocations are licensed, it will be more beneficial to the

consumers/customers. We are all consumers. We should be protected while availing the services of tech-voc practitioners such as plumber, carpenter, welder, electrician, care-giver, cosmetologists and beauticians, to name a few, according to Galvez.

“For example, in the beauty industry where I belong, we uphold to high standard of service. We ensure the safety and health of our clients as we use chemicals in our products such as makeup, hair and skin treatments. Kung may lisensiya, sobrang mag-iingat ang beauty practitioners na wag magkamali dahil pwede siya matanggalan ng lisensiya!” he elaborated.  

Most progressive countries give licensing to TechVoc professions, according to Galvez. “When you pass the board exams, you'll be receiving a higher compensation and in doing so will give you that prestige. Thus, the stigma of Tech-Voc being ”baduy”  and  as courses meant only for slow learners or for those who cannot afford a degree program, will then be replaced with pride. In fact, with licensing, degree holders would even take Tech-Voc courses because they are more in demand and lucrative nowadays,” he said.

This is the main purpose and advocacy of the TEVSAPHIL, according to Galvez,  to call the government to enact a law that will pursue Professional Regulatory and Licensing Board for Technical Vocational professions.

“With this, students who  opted for Technical vocational Education, when they finish all the levels, gain their diploma and required on the job experience and passed the board exams--then would take pride in their accomplishment and their chosen profession. With Tech-Voc profession, you'll be giving services and become an entrepreneur in your own right,” Galvez said.

Galvez is hopeful that the Professional Regulatory and Licensing Board for Technical Vocational professions will be made into law.  “It will definitely raise the bar for TechVoc professions in the Philippines," said Galvez.

3RD NATIONAL TESD CONGRESS

Meantime, TEVSAPHIL and Mindanao TVET Association (MINTVET), will be holding the 3rd National TESD Congress on October 17, 2014, at the SMX Convention Center, Davao City, Mindanao.

The annual event which which is expected to be be attended by 1,300 TVET Institution leaders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, is jointly organized with theTechnical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Esteemed guests and resource persons have been invited to grace the event which include TVET Champions Secretary Joel V. Villanueva, Senator Paolo Benigno “BAM” Aquino, IV, Rep. Roman T. Romulo and Secretary Armin Luistro of Department of Education.

The 3rd national conference, aptly themed Philippine Technical Education and Training for the New World Economy, is a gathering of TVET leaders, trainers, workplace managers, industry stakeholders, TESDA officials, and other key players in TVET all over the country, to discuss issues and concerns in Technical Education and Skills Development looking at four (4) perspective: (1) Socio-economic (2) K to 12 and ASEAN Integration (3) Education governance and (4) Entrepreneurship Education and Training Central to these perspective is the country’s education and development in relation to global economy and development.

This conference would not only pursue and clarify answers to questions that would ultimately be formulated as Resolutions for National TVET Policy reforms and recommendations, but more importantly walk the first steps leading to the TVET sector’s contribution to the development of the country’s economy.

According to event organizers, the TESD Davao Conference gathers TVET leaders and stakeholders to:

SHARE ideas about the current and future plight of technical-vocational education and training amidst global trends and changes;

CONTRIBUTE open forums, opinions, and ideas in plenary discussions for the formulation of TVET Policy recommendations;

PARTICIPATE and gain knowledge in the legislative agenda of the government in relation to TESD; Understanding the implications of those legislative reform agenda to TESD;

BUILD Network in TVET among leaders and key players for better work relationships in promoting and advocating for “United TVET Providers in the Philippines”;

ENGAGE in meaningful three Ships: Friendship, Fellowship, and Leadership in TVET.

 For information and inquiries, call or text: Lourdes M. Mission: Mobile No. 0918-479-7169 or Email: lourdes_mission2004@yahoo.com or Alex Mercado: Mobile No.: 0917-837-2236 or Email:alexandercmerado@gmail.com.