Time and again, this question has been asked: After training, what? It
is a very valid question that needs a straightforward answer. And who are asking
these questions aside from TESDA? They are the numerous stakeholders in
technical education and skills development: trainees, parents,manpower planners,
non-government organizations, industries, legislators and the public in general.
Generally, they will see training as an investment.

Yes, after training what? Training should lead to gainful and decent
employment, whether in wage or self employment. But this is easier said than
done. Without investment, how can jobs be generated and filled up by qualified
applicants?

Just a few weeks ago, TESDA launched without much fanfare the TESDA
Specialista Technopreneurship Program. It is a way to assist certified graduates
of related competencies by assisting them form an aggrupation of ten to ply
their trade. A deep sense of teamwork, how to run a small enterprise, how to do
pricing and marketing, with the enhancement of good work values and attitude
and other desirable traits were developed in them. Individual start-up kit is
given free to each member. So far, there were groups formed and already
operational in Bacarra and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, and Binmaley and Lingayen
in Pangasinan. Being organized for February launch are Narvacan and Candon City
in Ilocos Sur and San Juan and Bauang in La Union.

The TSTP is a self-employment mechanism for certified graduates. They
begin small but, hopefully, end up as economically viable small enterprises in
the rural areas. This will enable the members to have income, nominal or real.
Consider this: with a training cost of Php5, 000.00, for example, plus the
start-up kit of Php6, 200.00 and assuming that a member will earn Php4, 000.00
additional monthly income, it will only take about three months to recoup the
investment per member of Php11,200.00. It is probable that one member will work
for at least ten years. The arithmetic of this scheme is quite encouraging.
Indeed they will contribute to our gross domestic product and not anymore mere
consumers of goods and services.

There is therefore a plausible reason and an urgent need to increase our
investment in this program.

The TSTP is a bright idea! It is one way to answer the need for
inclusive growth through skills training resulting to gainful employment. But it
should be expanded, maintained and sustained. That is a huge challenge to all
of us.


WASHINGTON M. AGUSTIN