In a strategic move to align education with market demands, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Antique has embarked on a comprehensive skills mapping initiative. The effort, led by TESDA Antique provincial director Glenford Prospero, aims to pinpoint the competencies required to fulfill industry needs across the region. A crucial meeting was held in San Jose de Buenavista on January 28, 2025, involving Community Training and Employment Coordinators (CTEC) and local government units (LGUs), to discuss and strategize the alignment of skills training with industry requirements. Prospero emphasized the importance of TESDA’s role in tailoring the curriculum to meet the specific demands of the industry, particularly in sectors like agriculture, automation, and tourism. Given Antique’s status as an agriculture-based province, there is a pressing need for training in modern farming techniques, as well as in automation-related skills such as vehicle operation and maintenance. The tourism sector, buoyed by the region’s growing airport and seaport facilities, also requires skilled tour guides. Prospero plans to submit these findings to TESDA’s central office for consideration in shaping the top 10 priority skills to be offered in Antique. This initiative is expected to bridge the gap between skills training and industry demands, thereby enhancing employment prospects and elevating the workforce’s capabilities.
