Section 4Sec./Art. 4

Curricular Offering/ Training Programs. - The Institute shall offer one (l)-year to three (3)-year technical-vocational courses and undergraduate certificate, including short-term courses and modular trainings in diverse relevant technical-vocational and industrial technology education to comply with employment standards in preferred market-driven labor opportunities, but shall give premium efforts, however, to skills specialization for local market employment requirements geared towards achieving the development needs for a robust inclusive economy of the Municipality of Kabasalan and the other municipalities in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, in coordination 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.

The Institute may establish, as deemed necessary and practicable, research and technology hubs, mobile training programs, and satellite or extension training centers in priority areas throughout the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay 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 and short-term training programs. Course completion in these programs shall be credited through skills competency assessment under National Certification (NC) Levels I to V, as applicable, and shall further 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 skills development options for higher competency qualifications in technical-industrial education, trade technology, tourism, agricultural technology, business literacy, and innovation in TESDA-registered skills courses as follows:

(a) Industrial education and technology, including skills training in industrial trades, metal and steel works, machine fabrication, heavy equipment operations, automotive mechanic, refrigeration and air conditioning, electronics, and operation of power tools and equipment for both light grade use and industrial purposes;

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

(c) Livelihood skills development courses for 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), agriculture and farm technology, backyard gardening and propagation, horticulture, home-based aquaculture, livestock raising, food processing technology, home technology, culinary arts, beauty culture, health and wellness trainings;

(d) 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, including online home-based business;

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

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

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

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

(i) Other preferred priority skills that may be needed by the people of Kabasalan and relevant to the needs of the other service areas in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay to enhance their capacities for practical livelihood, gainful employment and entrepreneurship skills.