Taking advantage of the full implementation of the government’s K+12 program, the EITSC, an initiative of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), is launching a dual training program for senior high school students.

EITSC executive director Dominic Sabado said they are pioneering a program expected to provide meaningful employment to high school students after graduation.

“There is a distinct need for a platform where senior high school graduates can acquire skills and tools necessary to be employed. We want this project to align the academic curriculum of educational institutions in the country with what the various industries requires,” Sabado said.

The K+12 program which is seen to have its first graduates in 2018 will have an academic track that will focus on accountancy and business management; humanities, education, and social sciences; liberal arts; and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

It also has technical-vocational livelihood, sports, and arts and design tracks.
Government data indicated that out of the total 2.90 million unemployed in the country, those without employment are highest in the high school level at 44.40 percent and in college at 34.10 percent.

To jumpstart the program, the EITSC has attracted the STI Education Services Group (STI) as its first partner while also receiving support from 15 member companies of the ECCP.

STI vice president for academics Dr. Lloyd Bautista said the one-year partnership with EITSC is expected to boost the capacity of their high school students to be ready for work or in pursuing a college degree.
“We have recognized that one of the glaring disconnects in Philippine education is the weak partnership between the industry and academe,” Bautista said.

Currently, STI has more than 80,000 students in its network of 79 campuses and one university nationwide.
Meanwhile, the initial ECCP member companies participating are expected to facilitate the screening of potential student trainees that STI will be endorsing, execute a training contract, and assign a key department official who will handle the student training.
The initial 15 companies which cut across several industries include Aaron Engineering Outsourcing, Azumi Boutique Serviced Residences, Civet Fashion, EPS Manpower Services, First Environtech Alliance Corp., Hospitality Innovators Inc., Linaheim Corporate Services, Parque España Residence Hotel, Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences, PNI Business Solutions, PNI International Corp., PNI Manpower Division, Puratos Philippines, Rudolf Lietz Inc. and Solid Business Machines Center.

Sabado said over the next several months, the EITSC will be holding talks with other educational institutions in the country for their involvement in the project.

The EITSC promotes innovation, technology, and science to the Filipino youth while raising awareness and fostering linkages between academe and private sector. 

Source: The Daily Tribune