The RDC2 endorsed the TESDA’s project on Supporting Innovation in Philippine Technical Vocational Education and Training System (SIPTVETS) during the Joint RDC-Adcom-RPOC-ELCAC-BP2 Meeting on March 20, 2021 in Ilagan City. The project is proposed for funding by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The SIPTVETS project aims to revolutionize the country’s skills development framework, create a more demand-driven and industry-led TVET, modernize Regional TVET Innovation Centers (RTICs), and strengthen TESDA’s institutional capacity, among others.

For Region 2, the project location is in Isabela School of Arts and Trade in Ilagan City, Isabela. The project will support the construction of a two-storey Innovation Center conducive for research, prototyping work, and production/ business component of the innovation in TVET.

Aside from the initially identified focus areas on heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration, the project will accommodate other priority courses, trainings, and outputs to support the promotion of smart agriculture as well as increase local and global skills competitiveness and employability of graduates. These include new courses focused on 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution) skills as well as programs to assist students and would-be graduates for the start-up packages of assistance for small businesses in collaboration with DTI, DOST and DICT. Complementary to the course offerings of the RTICs will be applied research and development, innovation and entrepreneurship trainings.

Moreover, the TESDA ensured the project’s sustainability after its completion in 2026 through the implementation of the agency’s own income generating projects (IGPs). The ISAT shall also forge partnerships with local industry and business enterprises to revolutionize human capital development and competitiveness in the region. #PMED