We continuously increase the level of competitiveness of our graduates.

The level of competitiveness of students who enrolled in different courses at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was highlighted in the recently-concluded skills competition.

Secretary Isidro Lapeña said the continuous increase in the level of competitiveness of the graduates from TESDA is their primordial consideration to further uplift them in the future.

“We continuously increase the level of competitiveness of our graduates, this is one way to meet our strategy of producing a globally competitive workforce,” Lapeña said.

His remarks were in connection with this year’s just-concluded Zonal Skills Competition in the cities of Taguig and Davao. The awarding was held at the Kor-Phil Training Center, Davao City.

Lapeña said the competition also allows TESDA to ensure that they are empowering those in the lower strata of society.

Nine competitors from Region III grabbed the highest awards in Mechanical Engineering CAD, IT Software Solution for Business, Welding, Mobile Robotics, IT Network System Administration, Graphic Design Technology, Cabinet Making and Beauty Therapy.

This gold medal count was followed by the Cordillera Administrative Region which scored in Wall and Floor Tilling, Web Technologies, Joinery, and Cooking. In CALABARZON, they topped in the Restaurant Services, Fashion Technology, Automobile Technology and Electronics.

Competitors from Region VII topped the Information Network Cabling, Fashion Technology, IT Network System Administration, Graphic Design and Technology. Competitors from Region XI garnered golds in Mechatronics, Welding, Hairdressing and Restaurant Services.

In addition, three competitors each from Regions V and XII also walked away with gold in IT Network Cabling, Electrical Installation, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, IT Software Solution for Business, Web Technologies, and Cooking. Further, Regions I, II and the National Capital Region finished the competitions with 2 gold medals each for Bricklaying, Car Painting, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Internet of Things and Industrial Automation.

Moreover, each competitor from Caraga, Regions IX and VIII received a gold medal for Electrical Installation, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning and Automobile Technology.

During the opening ceremony of Luzon skills tilt held at the TESDA Auditorium, Lapeña emphasized that the competitions are excellent venues to promote skills development and at the same time serve as effective platforms to prepare Filipino competitors for international events.

In total, 204 competitors from the 17 regions participated in the Luzon and VisMin Zonal Skills Competition held last 6-10 November and 20 to 24 November hosted by the TESDA-NCR and TESDA-Region XII, respectively.

The gold medal winners will undergo further training to prepare them to represent the country in the 2020 ASEAN Skills Competition in Singapore and the 2021 WorldSkills competition in China.