Thousands attend 1st Career Caravan

Thousands of out-of-school youths, among others, yesterday trooped to the Cebu City Sports Complex to attend the first Career Caravan in the Visayas that offered education and career opportunities.

Augusto Syjuco, director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, announced that the caravan would bring opportunities to the youths and other job hunters.

The Career Caravan highlighted the Ladderized Education Program, which the Arroyo administration, via Executive Order 358, had pushed to close the gap between the country's educational system and the economy.

"Through all these, ang trabaho na ang hahanap ng tao at hindi ang tao ang naghahanap ng trabaho," Syjuco said.

In a press conference held earlier at the Grand Convention Center, Tesda regional director Urbano Budtan said that the basic qualification for one to apply for the LEP is the completion of high school education.

Budtan said a high school graduate, to obtain eventually a college degree, will spend two years on technical and vocational course, then another two years on academics.

He cited as an example how to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree the shortest and most economical way possible.

The student will have to take up caregiving course for six months, health care service course for another six months, midwifery course for one year, and some bridging subjects before nursing course proper for two years.

Budtan said the student would be earning already as he or she takes up these courses.

In Central Visayas, there are four schools offering "ladderized education" program. These are the Don Bosco Technology Center in Cebu province; Negros Maritime College Foundation, and Negros Oriental State University in Oriental Negros; and Siquijor State College in Siquijor. - Ferliza C. Contratista