Search for TESDA Idols Year 2 on

Millions of out-of-school youths and unemployed adults have availed of technical-vocational programs in TESDA schools or training centers and many of them have become successful professional skilled workers and technicians.

Former TESDA director general, Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco aptly called these skilled and productive graduates as “Workers of the World’’ (WOWs), people who have contributed to the development of their communities yet have remained unnoticed.

To give recognition to its outstanding grads, TESDA launched the first national Search for TESDA Idols during its 15th anniversary last year.

Project director Martha Hernandez says TESDA Idols gives recognition to WOWs, to increase the level of public awareness and appreciation for tech-voc education, as well as to raise the self-confidence level and morale of tech-voc graduates.

The first national winner of the TESDA Idol Award was Dr. Remegio Gonzales of Iligan City. Initially a graduate of an industrial electricity course, Rem worked as an electrician and eventually became a certified building wiring and installation expert.

He finished an electrical engineering course as a self-supporting student and later earned his professional license as an electrical engineer. He also holds a masters and doctoral degrees in education management. He was director of the School of Engineering Technology at the Mindanao State University when he won the award.

Last year’s regional finalists who vied for the national award were Raul Samsom (CAR), Emmanuel Noel Clemente (Region 1), Bernardo Bacani (Region 2), Nelson Guzman (Region 3), Gerry Buena (Region 5), Rodante Andres (Region 6), Edgar Acero (Region 7), Rene Hapona (Region 9), Remegio Gonzales (Region 10), Peter Guimare (Region 11), Janice Reynes (Region 12), and Alan Atega (Caraga).

Search on

The second edition of the Search for TESDA Idols award is now on. The search starts at the provincial level, with each TESDA Provincial Office nominating a potential idol who will compete at the regional level. Regional winners will then vie for a place among the four national winners who will be selected through a stringent process of interviews, skills demonstration, and documentary assessments to be done by a seven-member board of judges led by the Assistant Secretary of DILG and composed of representatives from employers and labor groups, TVET institutions, NGOs, and industry.

Qualified nominees for this year’s search are graduates of TESDA programs starting from 1995 whose immediate employment or business is in line with his or her training course. The nominee must either be a self- or wage-employed worker who has outstanding accomplishments and nominated by any legitimate civic, social, religious, labor or industry organization.

Nominees are required to submit a portfolio consisting of authenticated documents among which are: training certificates, diplomas or transcript of records, nomination letters from any legitimate association, and documentary evidence of awards received.

Wage-employed nominees must submit proof of employment and compensation and business permit for those who are self-employed.

For details on TESDA programs and services, call 887-7777, send SMS message 0917-4794370 (Globe) 0918-2738232 (Smart) or email contactcenter@tesda.gov.ph.

Source: MB