Davao HS Grads urged to opt for TechVoc courses

Councilor Rachel Zozobrado is urging Davao City high school graduates to consider taking technical and vocational courses for free through the Pangulong Gloria Scholarships offered through the various Tesda centers all over the country.

“Most of our high school graduates automatically choose white collar courses like accounting and this has led to an imbalance in the competencies supply of our graduates vis a vis the work being demanded here and abroad,” said Zozobrado who has been appointed by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to sit as his representative in the Davao City Technical Education and Skills Development Committee.

The problem with out graduates is their propensity to veer towards course that will get them employed in offices. However this is an unwise decision most of the time because our graduates should be encouraged to enroll in courses that will give them a chance to go into business for themselves later on.

“Technical and vocational graduates are very in demand abroad and if they want to work for themselves or to work in other countries then this is the way to go,” she said. Take a look at Canada Immigration’s application form and you will be surprised at how this country puts a premium on skilled workers, she said.

Zozobrado said high school graduates whose financial incapacity prevents them from taking four-year courses in college should consider enrolling in TESDA’s technical and vocational courses which are offered for free under the Pangulong Gloria Scholarships. This scholarship program, which provides free training, funding and free competency assessment, is in line with the Arroyo administration’s Economic Resiliency Program.

The program, she said, aims to produce a pool of workers who are not only qualified but also globally competent and job ready. The Gloria Scholarship is also ideal for those who are unemployed, underemployed, displaced workers or returning overseas Filipino workers.

Zozobrado said there is no longer any reason for Davao’s high school graduates to stop their education due to financial reasons. If you are at least 15 years old then you are qualified to apply for the Gloria Scholarships. However, you have to take the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) or the Youth Profiling for Starring Careers (YP4SC).