BCSAT-TESDA hosts 2019 provincial skills competition

March 17, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City School of Arts and Trades (BCSAT-TESDA) hosted this year’s annual provincial skills competition in cooperation with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) along with two more tech-voc institutions and the Association of TESDA Accredited Competency Assessors (ATACA) on Thursday, March 14 at the BCSAT grounds.

The Baguio-Benguet Skills Competition (Provincial Skills Competition) serves as a qualifier for hopefuls aiming to represent the country to the 45th World Skills Competition to be held in Kazan, Russia in August 2019.

The two other institutions co-hosting the event are the Association of Technical Vocational Institutes in Benguet (ATVIB) and the Baguio Association of Private Technical-Vocational Institutes (BAPTI).

BCSAT-TESDA provided its facilities for the qualifying events, which showcased programs under Web Design, Graphics, Electrical, Hairdressing, Beauty Care, Cooking and Restaurant Services.

T E S D A – B e n g u e t Provincial Director David B. Bungallon said that CAR is “the region to beat” applauding Baguio and Benguet’s performance during the World Skills Competition for the past years representing the country consecutively since 2015 in programs under Information Technology and Tourism Services.

Bungallon also said that the challenge for now is to sustain the region’s continuous participation in both the National and International competitions.

“This year, we are trying to fill, for the first time, areas in the social development sector like beauty care, hair dressing and then also welding,” Bungallon said.

ATVIB-President Angeline T. Bugtong said she is grateful towards advocate competitions focusing on the skills under trade technical-vocational programs as it shows appreciation to those who work hard, regardless of the general overview of skills courses as only an employment option.

“This will help boost those who are passionate about their jobs, like those who are in Hairdressing and Beauty Care. Though it may not be everyone’s style, it still is someone’s,” Bugtong said.

Meanwhile, ATACA President Jonathan A. Barroga supported the competition and participants elaborating the skills and level of those who had first hand experiences as compared to those who had none, applauding and taking into consideration the competitors, knowing the gap between the academe and the industry.

The Mines View Park Hotel (MVPH) also a partner in the competition, showed support in hopes of scouting and being a bridge to individuals currently looking for career opportunities.

Reign Keryao, UB Inter/ABN