Coca-Cola PH celebrates 500 graduates of training program with TESDA

Launched in 2021, the iSTAR Program is the digital adaptation of the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program, an enduring partnership between Coca-Cola Philippines and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which provides free access to training, resources, and peer mentoring to micro and small business owners to help them grow their businesses. The iSTAR Program has removed the limitations of in-classroom training and diversified its trainees by opening it to existing and start-up micro-retailers of all genders.

500 micro-entrepreneurs were awarded Certificates of Completion for finishing the iSTAR Program in a graduation ceremony held at the TESDA Complex in Taguig City last March 22, 2023.

 

TESDA Director General Danilo P. Cruz (left) and Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario (right) also met during the iSTAR graduation ceremony to discuss plans to further expand and strengthen the training program.
 

Aimed at providing entrepreneurial training, sari-sari store owners and micro-entrepreneurs will be able to enhance their business knowledge such as online selling, inventory control, and planning; and gain access to microloans that will enable them to build their businesses further.

 

The iSTAR Program is one of the efforts of Coca-Cola Philippines in sustaining the economic empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. For over a decade, Coca-Cola's initiatives in this area have reached more than 270,000 women entrepreneurs in the retail sector across 17 regions and 81 provinces of the Philippines.

 

Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association Creates Employment with TESDA Skill-Building Program

PCTA partners with TESDA to co-develop training programs for potential workers in the cable TV and broadband industry.

 As more homes need to be powered by connectivity in response to the pandemic situation, the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA) has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to co-develop training programs for potential workers in the ever-growing cable TV and broadband space. 

According to surveys, cable connectivity is one of the few industries that experienced growth in 2020 and PCTA members need more skilled workers to help connect homes and bring them online, to help them stay entertained at home or work and study at home. 

The program is designed to engage the direct participation of employers, workers, learning institutions and government in the design, development and implementation of industry-driven and demand-driven technical education and skills development towards creation of qualified, competent, and job-ready Filipino workforce. It also aims to provide for more strategic policy reforms in Tech-Voc training that is aligned to the industry requirements to address the unemployment and job-skill mismatch. 

“For decades, the PCTA has wanted a Cable TV academy and we had already laid the groundwork for it by joining up with TESDA to create courses for cable installers. The challenge was always ‘where will we put the academy?’ With the pandemic showing distance or virtual instruction can work, the academy can be anywhere where there is internet,” says PCTA President Joel Dabao. 

Through the strength of TESDA’s nationwide network of learning hubs, there will be more Filipinos who can be given job opportunities to help support their families. With this program, the PCTA hopes to be a primary driver of pandemic recovery. With more skilled workers available for hiring by the PCTA members all over the country, more homes will be able to go online and work from home through reliable broadband technology. Increasing the work forces in the cable industry will likewise help drive a rise in consumption and subscription services, ensuring security for those who previously could not find work.

Dabao says, “Our touchpoints in our industry are the Filipino homes and communities. We launched our Mabuhay ang Lokal campaign early this year to celebrate our culture and share the stories of our communities. With this partnership with TESDA, we are now empowering those in our communities whose livelihoods have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. PCTA is committed to uplift its role in the local community by providing employment to at-risk and in-need Filipinos.”

PCTA hopes that it will inspire other industries to create new pathways towards employment and help the country bounce back towards recovery in the next normal. For more information on PCTA, visit www.pcta.org.ph or follow PCTA on Facebook.

Electron College of Technical Education; Quality education, Affordable tuition

 Mrs Lea Solis and Dominic Solis 

For any parent, there is perhaps no prouder moment than to see their child on stage proudly holding up their diploma, armed with the knowledge and skills and ready to face reality.

As they say, the best thing a parent can give their child is the the gift of education. Education opens more doors of opportunities to help them pursue their dreams, land a good job and live a better life.

But the gift of education doesn't come cheap, especially here in the Philippines. It can cost hundreds of thousands of pesos not to mention all the sweat, tears and sacrifices that go along with it.

Dr. Dominador Solis witnessed all the hardships of his parents while studying at the University of the East Recto, and dreamt of putting up a school that could give quality yet affordable education.

He would realize that dream in 2002, after putting up the first Electron College of Technical Education formerly Electron Technical Vocational Training Center,  Main campus located at 664 Electron Bldg. Quirino Highway, Bagbag, Novaliches QC. His dream would flourish and now Electron has 10 branches located in Valenzuela, Marilao, Munoz, Pasig, Espana, Pasay, Paranaque, Camarin Caloocan and Las Pinas.

All their courses are TESDA-based and TESDA-registered.  Electron Technical Vocational Training Centeras also has a TESDA Accredited Assessment Center in Driving NC11, Motorcycle Servicing, Bookkeeping NCIII, and Computer Servicing NCII at Valenzuela Branch. They are the first and only TESDA Accredited DRIVING NCII in Training and Assessment.

"Our mission is to equip our STUDENTS with Special Skills and Rigid Training that will bring out their potential, showcase their abilities and talents and assist them in gaining their confidence,"  Solis said in a recent meetup with bloggers.

Quality and Comprehensive learning in short period of time, he explained would mean less expenses to parents and help students find jobs much sooner.

Electron has quickly built a credible reputation as the leading technical vocational school in the country that offers wide variety of courses that are truly in-demand here in the Philippines as well as abroad.

Besides being a TESDA accredited school, Electron Technical Vocational Training Center is proud of its competent faculty and fully airconditioned rooms. For just P500 deposit one can already enrol in the school.

The 500 Check Voucher

Electron likewise offers ladderized courses, tutorial study and has no age restrictions to anyone who wants to study. There is even no entrance exam.

Four categories are maintained in the school programs: Semestral, Short Courses, Tutorial and Live In/live out Seminars these courses are based on modular and Hands-on-training.

The school also offers courses in the hard trades and computer literacy such as Technology, Auto Technology, Electronics Technology, Tourism-Hospitality and Restaurant Services, Electricity and Welding Technology and Wellness and Fashion Technology.

To help them promote the school, Electron has partnered with UN'TV broadcasting in their MANIBELA ACADEMY project wherein they train scholars to become responsible and qualified drivers on the road. The school was also featured in GMA station for giving free technical services and tips in Electronics Appliances repair and maintenance.

"In the years to come, we believe that SPECIALLY SKILLED individuals will be recognized as potential and highly qualified worker therefore be offered with more employment opportunities as well as high paid salaries in exchange for their quality job and great expertise in their chosen career, and it can start here at Electron," Solis quipped.


Schedule of Classes are as follows;
(MWF/ TTH/ SAT /SUN)

8-12 Morning
1-5   Afternoon
5-9   Evening

List of Fees:

Regular Courses: Php 4.370.00
Tutorial Class (1 on 1)  Php 6,800.00

(Installment- 5-10 gives)

Enrollment fee:  Php 1,000.00

Courses:

Laptop Tehnician/Driving:  Php 5,750.00
Welding:  Php 6,900.00
(Installment 5 to 10 gives)

Enrollment Fee:  Php 1,000.00

Semestral Courses:  Php 4,990.00