One of the regular jobs that I inherited from erstwhile TESDA Director General, Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco is writing this column every week. I will try my best to come up regularly with an interesting piece on Tek-Bok and related subjects for the next three to four months of my stint as head of TESDA.

During my first few weeks as TESDA Deputy Director General for Field Operations in 2007, I remember that ladderized education progam (LEP) was a buzzword in the organization. In my first few speaking engagements in schools and training centers then, I always took time explaining to my audiences the mechanics and benefits of the program.

One of the pioneer higher education institutions which implemented the LEP in partnership with TESDA and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEHED) was the Philippine Women’s University, the oldest university for women in Asia.

LEP OF FAITH

President Arroyo, during her visit to PWU last week, cited the university’s support to LEP since its launch in school year 2006-2007. She congratulated the PWU community through its president Amelou B. Reyes and chief executive officer Freddie Reyes for being a pioneer in many educational endeavors -- including LEP and the Dual Training System (DTS).

During the visit, GMA checked on the implementation of the LEP in PWU’s Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) course. Under the PWU program, eight Tek-Bok qualifications are embedded in the first two years of the BS HRM course.

These include Housekeeping NC II, Baking and Pastry Production NC II, Commercial Cooking NC II, Bartending NC II, Front Office NC II, Food and Beverage Servicing NC II, Tour Guiding Services NC II, and Travel Servicing NC II.

Some 300 students are currently enrolled in the ladderized BS HRM course at PWU. Twenty-five of them were granted scholarships under the Pangulong Gloria Scholarships program.

The President’s training for work scholarship program were also provided to PWU students in call center agents, baking and pastry production, housekeeping, and food and beverage servicing courses.

THE WAYS OF LEP

LEP allows students to progress between Tek-Bok and college, and vice versa. This is called embedment of Tek-Bok qualifications, which means some Tek-Bok contents are already included in a college degree program.

This allows LEP students to earn Tek-Bok credits and qualifications without having to repeat the same subjects.

For details on TESDA programs and services, call 887-7777, send SMS message 09174794370 (Globe) 09182738232 (Smart) or email <contactcenter@tesda.gov.ph>