International Tech-vocational summit at Marco Polo Hotel tomorrow

Technical, skills students of Tesda work on a project at the Tesda facility in Lahug. (CDN FILE PHOTO)

Technical-vocational school administrators and instructors from all over the country will gather in the first International Techvoc forum at the Marco Polo hotel tomorrow Friday.

More than 600 participants are expected to join in the event that will be attended by respected international speakers in the field of technical-vocational education. In light with the current changes of the educational system in the country, the event will be an avenue for institutions of technical and vocational education in the country to discuss and update the current standards of skills training.

“We are finding ourselves in the middle of change. Because of the adoption of the K-12 program, by necessity the schools would have to come to us and ask for help and we have to be ready for that,” said Roy Zapata, vice president of TEVSAPHIL.

He said the K-12 program which adds two more years in the basic education cycle allows students to specialize in their chosen field which includes vocational training in fields like agriculture, music and arts.

Zapata said the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (Tesda) is committed to make the program a success. At the end of the event, TEVSAPHIL, an organization ot technical-vocational schools in the country would have to define their position in the current change and create strategies on how to enhance the skills of the Filipino workers. Anthony Weymouth, Australian embassy Senior Trade Commissioner will discuss the role of agriculture in modern technology.

Conway Go, Program Manager of Autodesk Asean Education, will talk about the youth’s capacity to become what he calls ‘agripreneurs’. Zapata said technical-vocational education has played an important role in developing and setting a standard of quality keeping Filipino workers at par with the rest of the workers in the world.

“Through this gathering, we will be updated on our position, current demands, and update our technology then set up our action plans,” Zapata said. The new set of officers of TEVSAPHIL led by their president Engr. Alejandro Escano will also take their oath of office to be inducted by Rep. Roman Romulo who chairs the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education. Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III will also attend the event.