Manila: Senior high school (SHS) graduates from public schools in Negros Occidental are being offered enhanced employment opportunities thanks to free National Certificate (NC) competency assessments in various technical-vocational livelihood (TVL) tracks provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
According to Philippines News Agency, the free assessments are part of the Provincial Assessment Week (PAW) scheduled from April 21 to 26. At least 552 SHS graduates will have the opportunity to undergo these assessments at designated centers throughout the province. TESDA-Negros Island Region Interim Regional Director Ni±a Connie Dodd stated that the week-long activity will include simultaneous competency assessments for SHS graduates across multiple qualifications.
Dodd, who inaugurated the PAW at Victorias National High School in Victorias City, emphasized that the free assessments will allow SHS graduates enrolled in the TVL track to validate their skills, thus enhancing their employability. By participating, students can save on examination fees, which typically range from PHP1,000 to PHP5,000.
The participating students scheduled for National Certificate (NC) assessments during the week include those from several schools: Domingo Lacson National High School, Mandalagan National High School, Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School, Caduha-An National High School, Carol-An National High School, Bilbao Uybico National High School, Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High School, Inocencio V. Ferrer Memorial School of Fisheries, Sofronio Carmona Memorial National High School, Bulanon Farm School Julio Ledesma National High School, and Victorias National High School.
Certificates will be awarded in various fields such as Computer Systems Servicing NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, Cookery NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Food and Beverage Services NC II, Housekeeping NC II, Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing NC II, Food Processing NC II, Agricultural Crops Production NC II, and Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I.
This initiative is a collaboration between TESDA and the Department of Education, aligning with a joint memorandum circular signed by both agencies. The goal is to ensure quality-assured assessments for certification within the SHS-TVL track, addressing financial barriers to NC assessments, improving certification rates, enhancing the quality of TVL education, and ultimately boosting the employability of learners.
