TESDA XI forges partnership with DCCCII

January 24 marked the forging of partnership between the TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) and the DCCCII (Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.) which was witnessed by some TESDA personnel and DCCCII members.

In behalf of both organizations, Dr. Gaspar S. Gayona, TESDA XI Regional Director and Atty. Domingo T. Duerme, DCCCII President signed the MOA which shall strengthen the implementation of an industry-led Certification and Assessment Program through the Davao City SME Center.

With the new partnership, TESDA shall provide technical capability-building assistance and other support mechanisms to DCCCII and its members and affiliates for mutually beneficial interests of both parties.

DCCCII, in partnership with TESDA, shall provide advice to TESDA in the identification of industry skills priorities and training needs; shall lead in the development and periodic review of national sectoral skills plans; shall develop, review, improve and promote competency standards qualification, curriculum exemplars and assessment guides in coordination with TESDA; shall participate in such other TVET programs within its capabilities; and shall accredit assessors and would-be assessors in the Agribusiness, ICT, Construction, Tourism, Processed Food, and Health Services sectors.

Sec. 26 of RA 7796 provides that TESDA shall establish effective and efficient institutional arrangements with industry boards and such other bodies or associations to provide direct participation of employers and workers in the design and implementation of skills development schemes, trade skills standardization and certification and such other functions in the fulfillment of the authority's objectives.

The said partnership was made possible in response to TESDA Board Resolution No. 2004-07 which has approved the establishment and operationalization of the Industry Working Groups (IWGs) for the TESD (technical education and skills development) in identified priority sectors.

TESDA and DCCCII started its close linkage when both organizations participated in a PAHRDF-AusAid Capability Building and Benchmarking activity in Sydney, Australia and Davao City on June 12 to July 7, 2006 on the Outsourced Function in Skills Assessment.

TESDA recognizes the DCCCII as the Industry Working Group partner for the Agribusiness, ICT, Construction, Tourism, Processed Food, and Health Services sectors in Region XI whose objective is to accelerate the development of these sectors in Mindanao