Who really needs to go to college?

It is getting harder and harder to find work these days. College graduates have found that their opportunities are limited. The situation is much worse for those who only have a high school education — the chances of finding the job they want are very slim. The problem seems to be that more people enter the labor force than the number of new jobs that are created each year. Worse, the skills of these new workers do not match the requirements of the new jobs.

Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque acknowledged that while the economy generates additional jobs each year, these new jobs are still fewer than the 1.14 million young workers who have entered the labor force, including fresh college graduates.

Based on the government’s latest Labor Force Survey, the number of unemployed persons as of January was 2.8 million, a bit lower than the 2.9 million people without jobs reported during the same month last year.

“Many of the new entrants to the labor force do not meet the skill requirements of the industry,” Mr. Roque said in a statement. “In the midst of the weak global environment, there are still establishments in the country such as call centers, and firms in need of information technology (IT) specialists, and skilled workers which have difficulties in filling up vacancies,” he added.

To address the problem, Mr. Roque said the government is drafting a road map that would identify the preferred skills needed by emerging industries or employment drivers.

“The road map would guide educational institutions on the kind of appropriate courses that should be offered to students to enable them to land industry jobs upon graduation,” he said.

COMPUTER TECHS, NURSES AND PLUMBERS

As the labor market becomes more specialized and economies demand higher levels of skills, governments and businesses are increasingly investing in the future of vocational education.

The Congressional Commission on Education report of 1991 recommended the division of the then Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) into three parts. DECS was renamed Department of Education (DepEd) as it retained responsibility for all elementary and secondary education.

The Commission on Higher Education was created in 1994. It assumed the functions of the former Bureau of Higher Education in supervising tertiary degree programs.

That same year, Congress passed Republic Act 7796, or the Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994, creating the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

TESDA absorbed the Bureau of Technical-Vocational Education plus the National Manpower and Youth Council, and supervises non-degree technical-vocational programs.

“Technical and vocational education is offered to enhance students’ practical skills at institutions usually accredited and approved by TESDA,” TESDA Kalookan City public affairs representative Luz dela Cerna told BusinessWorld in an interview.

She said institutions offering vocational education may be government operated or run by private companies. “The vast majority are privately operated and most call themselves ‘colleges.’ They may offer programs ranging in duration from a couple of weeks to two-year diploma courses,” she explained.

She said these programs can be technology courses like automotive technology, computer technology, and electronic technology; service courses such as caregiving, nursing, hotel and restaurant management; and trades courses that produce electricians, plumbers, welders, automotive mechanics, diesel mechanics, and heavy vehicle operators.

She said upon graduating from most of these courses, students may take a TESDA examination to obtain the relevant certificate or diploma.

“Vocational education can be considered as the shortest route towards a career. Of course, a university education may provide you better opportunities for career advancement,” Ms. Dela Cerna said. “However, if you don’t have the financial means and you need to find a job soon, a vocational school is the best option. After all, once you get a job, you can apply to finish a bachelor’s degree and at the same time have your education at the vocational school credited to it,” she added.

SPIRALING COSTS

Ms. Dela Cerna said the government is aggressively promoting vocational education nationwide as a means to boost employment among Filipinos amid the spiraling costs of obtaining a college diploma.

The rising costs of a college education has reduced enrollment in tertiary schools. Based on figures from the Commission on Higher Education, tertiary school enrollment slowed, then shrank — from a growth of 9.4% from 1999-2002, growth drop gradually until reaching a negative 1.2% in 2005.

The situation is different when it comes to vocational enrollment. Ms. Dela Cerna said with the introduction of TESDA’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program in 2002 and 2003, enrollment in vocational courses jumped by 116.6%.

To date she said there are more than 1,000 TVET programs being implemented nationwide, with courses ranging from English training for call centers, to training for baristas and coffee shop attendants.

“Whatever your reason for considering a vocational school, always investigate all options before making a final choice.” Ms. Dela Cerna said. “If you are interested in qualifications and quality of classes, a community college is a great option, but if you prefer a small class size and more hands-on experience, a private vocational school may be a better choice,” she added. –JEFFREY O. VALISNO, Sub-editor, Businessworld