Section 4Sec./Art. 4

Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act:

(a) "Skill" shall mean the acquired and practiced ability to carry out a task or job;

(b) "Skills Development" shall mean the process through which learners and workers are systematically provided with learning opportunities to acquire or upgrade, or both, their ability, knowledge and behavior pattern required as qualifications for a job or range of jobs in a given occupational area;

(c) "Technical Education" shall refer to the education process designed at post-secondary and lower tertiary levels, officially recognized as non-degree programs aimed at preparing technicians, para-professionals and other categories of middle level workers by providing them with a broad range of general education, theoretical, scientific and technological studies, and related job skills training;

(d) "Trade" shall mean any group of interrelated jobs or any occupation which is traditionally or officially recognized as craft or artisan in nature requiring specific qualifications that can be acquired through work experience and/or training;

(e) "Middle-Level Manpower" refers to those

(1) who have acquired practical skills and knowledge through formal or non-formal education and training equivalent to at least a secondary education but preferably a post-secondary education with a corresponding degree or diploma; or

(2) skilled workers who have become highly competent in their trade or craft as attested by industry;

(f) "Private Enterprises" refers to an economic system under which property of all kinds can be privately owned and in which individuals, alone or in association with another, can embark on a business activity. This includes industrial, agricultural, or agro-industrial establishments engaged in the production, manufacturing, processing, repacking or assembly of goods including service-oriented enterprises;

(g) "Trainers" shall mean persons who direct the practice of skills towards immediate improvement in some task;

(h) "Trainors/trainers" shall mean persons who provide training to trainers aimed at developing the latter's capacities for imparting attitudes, knowledge, skills and behavior patterns, required for specific jobs, tasks, occupations or group of related occupations;

(i) "Trainees" shall mean persons who are participants in a vocational, administrative or technical training program for the purpose of acquiring and developing job-related skills;

(j) "Apprenticeship" training within employment with compulsory related theoretical instructions involving a contract between an apprentice and an employer on an approved apprenticeable occupation;

(k) "Apprentice" is a person undergoing training for an approved apprenticeable occupation during an established period assured by an apprenticeship agreement;

(l) "Apprenticeship Agreement" is a contract wherein a prospective employer binds himself to train the apprentice who in turn accepts the terms of training for a recognized apprencticeable occupation emphasizing the rights, duties and responsibilities of each party;

(m) "Apprenticeable Occupation" is an occupation officially endorsed by a tripartite body and approved for apprenticeship by the authority;

(n) "Learners" refer to persons hired as trainees in semi-skills and other industrial occupations which are non-apprenticeable. Learnersship programs must be approved by the Authority;

(o) "User-Led" or "Market-Driven Strategy" refers to a strategy which promotes strengthened linkages between educational/training institutions and industry to ensure that appropriate skills and knowledge are provided by the educational system;

(p) "Dual System/Training" refers to a delivery system of quality technical and vocational education which requires training to be carried out alternately in two venues: In school and in the production plant. In school training provides the trainee the theoretical foundation, basic training, guidance and human formation, while in-plant training develops his skills and proficiency in actual work conditions as it continues to inculcate personal discipline and work values;

(q) "Levy Grant System" refers to a legal contribution from participating employers who would be beneficiaries of the program (often as a percentage of the payroll) which is subsequently turned over or rebated to enterprises offering employee training programs.