Benguet allows Tesda face-to-face trainings

By Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet --The Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force for Covid-19 approved the request of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to  conduct  limited  face-to-face training and assessment of Technical-Vocational Education  but in strict compliance to minimum public health standards.

Even with Resolution Number 47 of the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowing TESDA to undertake face-to-face training and assessment but for a limited capacity, TESDA-Benguet Provincial Director Vilma Cabrera sought the concurrence of the local governments.

The resolution issued on June 19, 2020 allows face-to-face TVET training and competency assessment at 50 percent capacity. But provided there is strict compliance with minimum public health standards, TESDA Guidelines and in consultation with local government units.

The national resolution also allows TESDA’s TVET resumption of full online/E-learning trainings, all training programs related to agriculture/fishery qualifications for food production and processing, distance learning for TVET programs, and E-learning component of blended learning for TVET programs, dual training system, enterprise-based training, and in-plant training in establishments allowed to operate under General Community Quarantine, and virtual assessment and portfolio assessment through electronic means for certain TVET qualifications.

The Provincial IATF  of which the respective local chief executives in the municipalities are members, unanimously approved in principle a resolution allowing the conduct of  limited face-to-face training and also for assessment  and should  comply with the health protocols for COVID-19. 

Cabrera said they will limit to a total of 12 trainees for face-to-face training.  

Minimum heath standards  include use of face mask, at least one meter social distancing, proper hand washing and proper cough/sneeze etiquette.

Meanwhile, Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan reminded Cabrera on the trainings  that are yet to be conducted for the people in his town whose livelihood were put to halt due to the cease of operations of small scale mining in the aftermath of typhoon Ompong.

Cabrera assured that  they will resume trainings in the municipality as long as TESDA’s request for  face-to-face training and assessment  is approved.  -- PIA Benguet