TESDA launches a new system of learning making it easier for technical-vocational students to pursue a college degree. Article by Mai Mislang

For many Filipinos, the dream to overcome poverty is necessitated by a college degree. An indication of a BS or BA degree in your resume can surely take you places, as it usually merits a distinction during employee selection. Ironically, in a country where good education has become so elusive, being a college graduate is a fundamental requirement when recruiters evaluate possible new hires. In fact, pedantic managers will tell you that college graduates have a better chance of getting entry-level jobs that pay decently enough to survive in today’s economy.

But what about vocationally-skilled individuals? Can they still compete? Is there a way of bridging income and skill disparities to give equal educational opportunities to all?

Under the principle of empowerment and sustainability, the Philippine government has installed the ladderized Education System under Executive Order 358, “To Institutionalize A Ladderized Interface Between Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Higher Education (HE),â€