Women tech-voc grads now outnumber men

MANILA, Philippines - Technical-vocational education (tech-voc) is now fast becoming a women’s turf.

More women than men are now taking up tech-voc courses, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) reported yesterday.

“Reports from TESDA show that women are now actively participating in tech-voc training and are seeking better opportunities for themselves and their families,” TESDA director general Joel Villanueva disclosed.

Last year alone, Villanueva said, women accounted for 53 percent of the total 1,765,757 technical vocational education graduates.

Villanuena further noted that many of the women tech-voc graduates have excelled in their chosen field.

He said five of the top  20 finalists in this year’s Tatak TESDA Video Making  Contest were female who have proven that they could excel in their chosen trade and make a decent stable living through tech-voc.

Villanueva then cited  24-year-old Ingrid Ponce who is now making raves in a company in Japan as a welder.

Aside from putting together metal plates, Ponce has learned a new skill under the company and can now operate a forklift.

Ponce took up welding despite the objection of her parents because she believes that it is not only a skill, but an art.

With her current status, Ponce said, she made the right decision in pursuing her dream job.

Jonnalyn Navarossa of Tacloban City, also took automotive mechanic, which is  a course more popular among men.

After obtaining a National Certificate for Automotive Mechanic from TESDA, Navarossa was hired in a firm run by Japanese managers.

 Navarossa said her training enabled her to land in a job that helped her sustain her family.  She intends to pursue her dream of becoming a full-fledged engineer later on.

Former overseas Filipino worker Cristina Reyes, on the other hand, finished a course on Massage Therapy and became a National Certificate  holder.   

She is now a spa owner and serves as livelihood trainer to out of school youth in their community.

Andylyn Barona of South Cotabato graduated valedictorian of her batch, but could not enter college, so she took the tech-voc route.

A fishing company hired her after she completed her course and now heads the Management Information Systems department of the company.

While working, Barona completed a Bachelor degree in Computer Science.

“If not for my tech-voc training, I would not have found a job and finish a degree,” Barona said.