MANILA –– The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is readying its first “World Cafe of Opportunities,” a one-stop shop for job seekers set nationwide on Aug. 25-26.
“The World Cafe of Opportunities is like a sector-based job fair aiming to connect government and private agencies to TVET (technical and vocational education training) graduates,” TESDA Learning Development Division chief Noel Cuevas told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.
Cuevas said the event aims to increase the awareness of TVET graduates on the employment opportunities available for them, and also to identify the emerging skills that TESDA might include in its priority qualification standards being developed.
“For this activity, officials still have to discuss what sector/s will be catered per region. For example, Region 1 might offer construction-related jobs. The management could also decide for one sector to be the focus in all regions,” he said.
Cuevas noted that apart from being sector-focused, the World Cafe of Opportunities will be like a one-stop shop for job seekers.
“There will be TESDA staff who will tell them if they lack the qualifications and training and would need to enroll in our programs first, for instance. The staff will also guide them where to go and how to avail of our scholarship programs,” he remarked.
Cuevas added that TESDA will also provide photocopier and photo booths, so applicants with incomplete requirements need not worry.
Meanwhile, Cuevas cited that the World Cafe of Opportunities also aims to operationalize the agency’s JoLiNS (Job Linkaging and Networking Services) program, which helps TVET graduates to find jobs and other scholarships.
JoLiNS was established in September 2016 as a capability-building program.
“Secretary (Guiling Mamondiong) wanted to strengthen JoLiNS, especially in time for the celebration of the National Tech-voc Day on August 25,” he added.
As part of strengthening JoLiNS and preparation for the World Cafe of Opportunities, TESDA has organized a week-long training dubbed as “Strengthening the Competencies on Industry Coordination of Career Advocates and JoLiNS Focals” from June 25-29 in Marikina City.
Cuevas said attendees of this training are the regional JoLiNS focal, provincial director focal, industry coordinators and some representatives from TESDA Technology Institutions.
“The Secretary also wants the World Cafe of Opportunities to be an annual event so we are really preparing for it,” he added. (Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA)
