Section 5Sec./Art. 5

Curricular Offering/Training Programs. - The Institute shall offer TESDA-registered undergraduate certificate programs, one (1)-year to three (3)-year technical-vocational courses, including short-term courses and modular trainings in diverse relevant technical-vocational and industrial technology education, and livelihood productivity, to comply with technical skills priorities, competency demands and key employment generator targets under the Philippine Standard Occupational Classification and of international labor requirements and standards.

Skills and trades specialization for local employment requirements shall, however, be prioritized in technical-vocational education at the Institute to support the development needs for a robust inclusive economy of Baguio City and the rest of the integrated localities in the CAR within the operational radius of the Institute, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), business-industry partners, and such other relevant agencies, both local and international.

The Institute may establish, as maybe deemed necessary and practicable, research and technology hubs, mobile training programs, and satellite or extension training centers in priority areas throughout CAR to strengthen linkages between the industry, the academe, and the technology programs thereat. It shall likewise adopt the use of innovative training modes such as information technology-assisted instruction, dual learning system, open or distance education, and community laboratory and such other instructional programs to afford the community greater access to technical-vocational education and skills training.

The Institute shall, as far as necessary and practicable, offer TESDA-registered technical-vocational courses for competency assessment and skills certification of the TESDA: Provided, That, course completion shall be credited through skills competency assessment leading to National Certification (NC) Levels I to V: Provided, further, That, the technical-vocational courses completed at the Institute shall qualify for academic recognition under the Ladderized Interface system for tertiary education if compliant with the requirements under said program.

The Institute shall, as necessary and practicable, offer courses from the following TESDA-registered technical-vocational and short-term training programs:

(a) Agriculture-related trainings and skills development in such areas as farming operations technology, backyard farming and home-based aquaculture and propagation innovations, mechanized farm tools and equipment operation, agribusiness, agri-aqua trade technology and innovations, and relevant farmers continuing trainings for increased productivity and entrepreneurship;

(b) Skills training in industrial technology and hard trades such as metal and steel works, machine fabrication and operation, heavy equipment operation, automotive mechanic, refrigeration and air conditioning, electronics, and operation of power tools and equipment for both medium skills grade and industrial preferred skills;

(c) Tourism and hospitality-related courses relating to hotel, restaurant and tourism development and management, including personality development and social communication skills training, language proficiency courses in English and other language competence for business process outsourcing (call center) employment and overseas job placement;

(d) Livelihood skills development courses for preferred skills employment, small-scale income generating opportunities and entrepreneurship training, including practical skills education in crafts and arts, workmanship and designing (fabric, woodworks, jewelry and metal works), high speed sewing, dressmaking and tailoring, horticulture, livestock raising and breeding, food processing technology, home technology, culinary arts and commercial cooking, including baking, beauty culture (includes cosmetology, hair and nail styling), health and wellness trainings;

(e) Basic business literacy training in financial management and marketing, practical accountancy, bookkeeping and office procedures, business processes and application procedures including registration, licensing, documentation, business patent and intellectual property regulation, business financing and investment opportunities sourcing, import-export accreditation, including online home-based business operation and use of social media for business marketing;

(f) Technical-vocational occupation and trades skills such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, practical electricity and installation, automotive technician and servicing, electronics technician and servicing, welding technician, personal computer (PC) servicing, and such other relevant practical technical skills courses;

(g) Computer literacy and information technology (IT)-related skills, digital technology, web design, animation, photoshop/online photography, computer design and advertising;

(h) Seminars in personality development, career counseling and job placement, work ethics and values, business project development; and

(i) Other preferred priority skills and trades training courses relevant to the needs of the localities served within the operational radius of the Institute and the whole CAR to enhance their capacities for livelihood, gainful employment and practical entrepreneurship skills.