Bacolod city: A pioneering group of 21 trainees in Negros Occidental have obtained qualification in Sugarcane Production National Certificate (NC) II from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Under the Training for Work Scholarship Program, TESDA collaborated with the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) here in offering the comprehensive 75-day course which was launched on April 3 and ended on Aug. 23.
According to Philippines News Agency, data from the TESDA-Negros Occidental on Thursday showed the 21 graduates included eight from Victorias City, six from La Castellana, three from Silay City, and two each from E.B. Magalona and Murcia. They are composed of sugarcane farm workers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, and job order employees in agriculture offices.
The graduates of Sugarcane Production NC II were trained on various units of competency, including basic, common, and core competencies comprising the qualification. Basic competencies included learning how to participate in workplace communication, work in a team environment, and practice career professionalism and occupational health and safety procedures. Common competencies focused on how to apply safety measures in farm operations, use farm tools and equipment, and perform estimation and basic calculation. For core competencies, the trainees learned how to establish a sugarcane nursery, plant sugarcane, care for and maintain sugarcane and ratoon crops, and carry out harvest and post-harvest operations.
In a statement on Thursday, TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez said they 'made history with the first ever graduation for Sugarcane Production NC II in the entire country.' 'There is nothing more fitting than providing NC trainings in sugarcane production in Negros Occidental dubbed as the 'Sugarbowl of the Philippines.' Benitez said. 'This milestone is part of our commitment to area-based demand-driven technical and vocational education and training, ensuring that our trainings match the needs of our industries.'
Negros Island produces about 65 percent of the country's sugar output.
