Intel
Easy Steps to be integrated across technical vocation training programs
- Digital skills are seen as most critical to economic growth especially in the Asia Pacific region. Governments are encouraged to revamp education and offer more opportunities for employment to hasten economic development.
- To address the increasing demand for skilled technical workers, Intel and the Technical Vocational Schools and Associations of the Philippines Inc. (TEVSAPHIL INC.) are working to integrate the Intel Easy Steps course – which offers materials on basic computer skills and the practical uses of technology – across TEVSAPHIL INC.’s training programs nationwide.
- To date, Intel Easy Steps, through its various partners, have reached a total of 54,034 grassroots learners and 1,182 trainers.
- Intel is looking at this collaboration to scale the reach of the Intel Easy Steps through the 4,500-strong private vocational school network of TEVSAPHIL INC.
Leading technology innovator Intel Philippines recently
announced its collaboration with the Technical Vocational Schools and
Associations of the Philippines Inc. (TEVSAPHIL INC.) to implement the Intel
Easy Steps digital literacy course materials in the programs offered by TEVSAPHIL
INC. member schools and institutions. The partnership aims to accelerate
change, improve lives, and transform Philippine competitiveness by equipping
all technical vocational (tech-voc) learners with digital literacy skills to
prepare them for the 21st century workplace.
The rapidly developing digital economy is
increasing the demand for highly skilled technical workers across the Asia
Pacific region. Digital literacy is quickly becoming an important component in
the development of competitive and robust economies across the region, and
governments are urged to invest in education and provide more employment
opportunities now more than ever before.
Despite being projected to be among the fastest
growing economies in the world, an alarming number of the Philippines’
potential adult workforce remains unemployed. To address this issue, Intel and TEVSAPHIL
INC. are launching a national movement to enhance grassroots learners’
opportunities for economic self-sufficiency by training them to be digitally
literate and teaching them the practical uses of Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) tools.
“These days, knowing how to use ICT tools like
computers, tablets, word processing, email, the internet among others is
imperative in delivering quality services in healthcare, tourism, and business
process outsourcing,” said Alex T. Escaño, Chairman & President, TEVSAPHIL INC. “We envision a future where the
Filipino workforce can readily harness the power of technology for both
employment and their lives outside work. Our partnership with Intel is
definitely a step towards that direction.”
In partnership with the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and individual private institutions,
TEVSAPHIL INC. offers programs that provide technical vocational education and
training programs to both the youth and adults. With the Intel Easy Steps
course integrated into its programs, TEVSAPHIL INC. will be able to improve the
digital literacy skills of both trainers and tech-voc students, who will in
turn impart their acquired skills to other members.
“We have seen great success from Intel Easy Steps
in the Philippines, and we are very grateful for the continued support of the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). We are very
hopeful that with this complementary partnership with TEVSAPHIL INC., we will
be able to reach more technical vocation learners and together achieve a
digitally literate workforce in the future,” said Yvonne Flores, Corporate
Affairs Manager, Intel Philippines.”
In 2012, Intel Easy Steps trained 21,824 learners
and 906 trainers in the country. In 2013, the program managed to train 14,582
learners and 384 trainers. To date, Intel Easy Steps has reached a total of
54,034 grassroots learners and 1,182 trainers through its local partners.
Intel Easy Steps teaches adult learners basic
computer skills like word processing, spreadsheets, multimedia, internet, and
email, and trains them how to use these skills for entrepreneurship and
employment. To date, the program has reached more than 1million users in 20
countries around the world.
“Our partnership with TEVSAPHIL INC. does not only
extend our reach to more Filipinos but it also helps us provide more
opportunities for quality education, new job skills, and personal growth
through ICT and digital learning,” Flores added. Intel continues to work
closely with governments and NGOs to deliver education, digital literacy, and
entrepreneurship programs that empower communities, improve employability, and
increase economic opportunity.
On February 7, 2014, TESDA in collaboration with
TEVSAPHIL INC. and the Cebu Association of Private / Public TVET Institution
(CAPTI) will hold the 1st International Tech-Voc forum at the
Waterfront Hotel Lahug. The International TechVoc forum will discuss topics on
Agriculture training in modern technology for progress, the Intel Easy Steps
program, ASEAN skills integration, the use of technology for tech-voc, growing
agripreneurship, global workforce trends in the human age, and other
interesting topics that will inspire our next generation to participate in
tech-voc education.
For more information on Intel Philippines, log on
to the Intel Philippines Facebook Page or follow Intel Philippines on Twitter
(@IntelPilipinas).