In response to the growing need for quality assurance and certification among the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the Philippines, the Asia-Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) conducted on-site visits to two TESDA schools in the Cagayan Valley region (Region 2).
The team, composed of Engr. Md. Jahangir Alam (CPSC Faculty Specialist and Team Leader), Dr. Hazrat Hussain (CPSC Faculty Consultant and Team Member) and Mr. Rae Emmanuel Echaveria (APACC Staff), conducted the first leg of the onsite visits to Aparri School of Arts and Trades (ASAT) at Brgy. Maura, Aparri, Cagayan on July 16-18, 2012. On July 23-25, 2012 the team conducted an on-site revisit to Southern Isabela College of Arts and Trades (SICAT) at Brgy. Calaocan, Santiago City, Isabela.
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| TESDA-ASAT Faculty and Staff |
The Aparri School of Arts and Trades (ASAT) is a technological institution under TESDA, founded on June 22, 1963 through the Republic Act No. 3732. It envisions to be a state partner in the development of globally competent and technically equipped middle-level manpower who are efficient, effective and economically independent either as wage earners or as self-employed workers. It aims to fulfill its mission by making available quality TVET and ensures the inculcation of upright attitude towards work among all those who pass through its portals. It is also recognized as a “Center of Excellence” Institute in the Province of Cagayan.
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| TESDA-SICAT Faculty and Staff |
On the other hand, the Southern Isabela College of Arts and Trades (SICAT) or formerly known as the Santiago Vocational and Industrial School, is created through Republic Act No. 3922 on June 18, 1964. It envisions to be a self-sustaining center of excellence in TVET in Region 02 and it aims to fulfill such vision through developing competitive workforce imbued with relevant knowledge, skills, proper work values and attitudes to meet local and global manpower requirements for customer’s optimum satisfaction.
SICAT was granted a bronze-level accreditation in 2009 and is aiming to affirm its rating through another on-site visit as required by the commission and as standard procedure of assessment and validation of TVIs’ operations against APACC standards and criteria.
Both visits were graced by the Regional Director of TESDA Region II, Dr. Valerio D. Rola, who expressed his optimism towards APACC activities and his aim to have all TESDA centers in the region be accredited by the commission before the year ends.
After APACC Board’s deliberations, results of the onsite visits will be communicated to TESDA, accordingly.
