TESDA3, BPAP trains CL IT-BPO mentors

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) Train the Trainers Program kicks off in Central Luzon with the conduct of the Trainers Methodology (TM) Plus course at the Cyber City Educational Foundation at Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City.

At least 30 trainers of courses under the information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry from 18 different schools in Pampanga are attending the rigid training from October 11-22. They are scholars, said TESDA-III Regional Director Ted Gatchalian,since the program is being delivered under TESDA’s P500-millionindustry-based Training for Work Scholarship Program (iTWSP).

TM Plus is a must course for aspiring trainers who intend to earn certification from TESDA and BPAP as a TM1 trainer. Its design fused TESDA’s TM1 modules, the latest version intended to enhance trainers teaching skills,with the IT-BPO’s industry essentials.

I-TWSP is a key component of the government and the IT-BPO industry’s Road Map 2016 to increase total industry generated jobs from 1.8 million in 2010 (500,000 direct and 1.3 million indirect) to 4.5 million in 2016 (1.3 million direct and 3.2 million indirect). In 2011, the IT-BPO industry generated US$11 B in revenues. The industry road map seeks to increase earnings to US$25 B by 2016.

It (TM Plus) will help ensure that we have a pool of highly competent IT-BPO trainers. Through this, we hope to achieve a multiplier effect that will increase IT-BPO-oriented training opportunities, TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said.

Likewise, RD Gatchalian explained that they are working with the Association of Technical Vocational Institutions in Central Luzon (TVIs-Central) to deliver the TM Plus in the region. The group of resource speakers is composed of mentors from the Philippine Society for Training and Development (PSTD) and trainers from Pampanga.

The current batch is the first of the three for Central Luzon. The second is slated in Bulacan and the third, again, in Pampanga. Central Luzon has been provided 90 vouchers.

The program is divided in two parts. The first is an 11-day classroom and e-learning sessions. The next is a one a half day internship, where the trainees co-facilitate training in an IT-BPO facility. Before finishing, trainees must take the test using the tool developed by Philippine Society for Training and Development (PSTD) as well as TESDA’s TM 1 National Assessment. Certificates of achievement will be issued once they pass the tests.

TESDA has allocated P18 million (900 vouchers) for the TM Plus, developed jointly by TESDA and BPAP. Another P7.2 million (804 vouchers) will be used for TM1.

The TM Plus modules include: plan training session; facilitate learning sessions; utilize electronic media in trainings; supervise work-based instruction; conduct competency assessments; maintain training facilities, and apply skills and knowledge through an internship.