K to 12 Plus project seen to address industry-academe mismatch

3 business groups in Cebu pilot dual training approach

Three business organizations in Cebu have agreed to take part in the pilot implementation of a dual training approach to the technical-vocational track of senior high school under the K to 12 Plus project.

The project, which was adapted from Germany, allows students to learn in the classroom the concepts related to their technical or vocational track in senior high school and, at the same time, gain industrial experience and training.

Students under the program will spend 20 to 25 percent of their time in school on their academic studies and 75 to 80 percent working with partner companies.

Lito Maderazo, co-chairman of the Philippine steering committee for the K to 12 Plus project, said the project is expected to address the prevailing industry-academe mismatch. Cebu is one of the pilot sites, the other being Metro Manila.

“This (mismatch) is a big problem. Businesses spend so much time and money training the new entrants, especially on skills,” Maderazo said.

Participating schools include Zapatera National High School, Barrio Luz National High School, Banilad Center for Professional Development (BCPD), Primary Structures Educational Foundation, Inc. – SKILLS and Philippine School of Culinary Arts.

If the project succeeds, Maderazo said graduates would find it easier to land jobs, and employers can easily find graduates with skills that fit their requirements.

In Cebu, three organizations have agreed to participate in the pilot run from June this year until December next year. They are Cebu Contractors Association (CCA) for the construction industry; Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (HRRAC) for the hospitality industry; and the Association of Food Industries, Manufacturers and Exporters for the food processing industry.

Maderazo said they are looking at adding the electronics sector to the line up.

Several companies from each industry have already expressed their desire to join the project, he added.

From the construction industry, the participants are PLD Construction, J.E. Abraham Lee Construction and Development, Primary Structures Corp. and Consult Construction.

From HRRAC, the participants are Marco Polo, Radisson Blu, Plantation Bay, Crimson Resort and Spa, and JPark Island.

For food processing, Central Seafood, Virginia Foods, Magic Melt, Anita’s Bakeshop and San Jose Bakeshop are listed as participants.

“The business sector feels that this is an opportune time to influence the curriculum for the training or the production of talents from the academe,” he said.

“In Germany, graduates have experience and no longer need to be trained. They’re highly skilled and highly productive,” he added.

Graduates in Cebu and Metro Manila will not only receive certification from the Department of Education (DepEd) and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), but also from the industry they trained in.

The project is funded by a consortium of German foundations.