TESDA Help Empower Women Retailers

MANILA, Philippines - Coca-Cola Philippines is helping empower women retailers through the Sari-sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The STAR program, which has been successfully running in various communities in the Philippines for the last two years, is in line with the 5by20 global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company, which aims to economically empower 5 million women by year 2020.

The STAR Program is a gender-sensitive module customized for women micro-entrepreneurs. Acknowledging women as active players in economic development, the STAR Program has emerged as one of the most successful of 5by20 initiative in the ASEAN region.

"Women are already pillars of our business and of the communities we proudly serve. Giving them access to the various components of the 5by20 STAR Program will help transform them into becoming better entrepreneurs," Atty. Adel Tamano, Coca-Cola Philippines Director for Public Affairs and Communications, said.

TESDA deputy director general Atty. Teodoro Pascua noted Coca-Cola’s STAR Program is "one of the best corporate social responsibility projects".

Malaysia’s Department of Women Development deputy-general Che Azizah BT Che Rashid visited the Philippines last month to attend a day-long orientation of the STAR program. Women’s organizations and microfinance institutions from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand also attended the event.

"We are proud of what Coca-Cola Philippines and TESDA have achieved so far, their passion and enthusiasm with a willing heart to continuously share best practices like this is already making a difference within the ASEAN neighboring countries as they get ready to implement 5by20 women economic empowerment programs in their respective markets," Jackie Duff, Coca-Cola Director for Women's Economic Empowerment, said.

Gilda Custodio-Maquilan, 5by20 Philippines STAR Program Chairperson, said investing in women economic empowerment is investing the future of communities.

"“We are encouraged by the participation of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia in this learning exercise. Sharing the Philippine 5by20 experience will mean we will be able to empower more women in ASEAN," Custodio-Maquilan said.

Training Skills Offer by TESDA to ODWs

TUGUEGARAO CITY - To provide equal access to livelihood opportunities for the Occupationally Displaced Workers (ODWs), the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) has tied-up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for free skills and entrepreneurial trainings.

Remedios Andrada of ECC region 2, said they offer the training to facilitate integration of ODWs into the economic mainstream and assist them in establishing their self-managed micro-enterprise or home-based business.

“We have plenty of workers who suffered disabilities from their former works locally and abroad. Because of their disabilities, they lost their works and now looking for opportunities to earn for a living for their families,” Andrada stated.

She said they offer the training through the ‘Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KAGABAY) program, a special program for ODWs who lost employment by reason of work-related disabilities and sickness.

“Under the program, the ODWs are granted either free training for re-employment or for entrepreneurial purposes. This is an effort to help the displaced workers,” Andrada added.

On the other hand, TESDA Provincial Director Romeo Talosig also stated that their institution appreciates much if the ODWs would also undergo other TESDA skills training offerings that fit their capabilities.

As per agreement, ECC will pay the enrollment fee, including food and transportation allowance of the ODW trainees and their basic tool kits and starter kits shall also be reimbursed.

Andrada also stressed that only ODWs with approved disability claims from either SSS or GSIS can avail of the program. ODWs with approved claims may visit ECC office at DOLE Regional Office 2, Caritan, Tuguegarao City.

How to Pass the TESDA NC II Computer Hardware Servicing Exam

Through my experience, passing the TESDA NC II Computer Hardware Servicing Exam is not really difficult as long as you follow these important tips. Be there at TESDA testing center earlier than the scheduled time for exam, eat well and avoid from any destruction. Once the exam started, listen very well on the instructions. Exam is divided into three categories theoretical, computer hardware identification, and practical exam.

Theoretical – is a written exam and it is composed of theories about computers such as computer terminologies, abbreviation, little of mathematical explanation like binaries and a lot more, so start reviewing your notes now. Computer Servicing Exam will also includes Networking Topologies advantages and disadvantages, network type of equipment will also be part on the exam. You must also review about the common types of viruses and how it will infect your computer system applications and operating system. Learning about various types of processors and its specifications is also a high value. You must also learn the BIOS Setup, and configuration, Operating System familiarization and likewise about storage devices. However, for theoretical they give a little weight for this exam since certification for TESDA NC II Computer Hardware Servicing is more focus on technical aspect so you must learn more about identifying parts of computers and its specific functions, as well as on the practical exam. There will be an instance that after the exam a discussion or some sort of interview between you and the examiner will be conducted.

Computer Hardware Identification – practically it is more on identifying computer parts and its function. From my experience, when I took the exam last two years ago they also included older computers to be part of the exam. During this exam you will be ask and explain a certain parts of computer. Computer modular parts are being placed on the table and randomly, the examiner will pick a computer parts and it will presented to you and it will ask you to identify the parts and explain the function of it. So it is really advisable to learn all parts of the computer in order for you to pass the computer hardware servicing exam.  For example; like Computer Mother Board or (MOBO) you need to identify what parts are included in the North Bridge and south bridge of this mother board. There are instances as well that old computer part will be ask to you such as; 8 bit and 16 bit ISA interface riser card, internal modem, com ports and serial ports. You may also ask to enumerate some of the input and output devices. In order to pass the hardware identification exam you must learn also the older parts of computers. One more tips, you might need also to learn about memory module it is possible that you will be ask the differences of various memory module types such as SIMM, DIMM, DRR 1, 2 and the latest is DDR 3. Also, you might learn computer beep error codes this is very important to identify computer hardware errors. Another thing is you need also to learn hard disk jumper settings and its purpose this is typically available on the PATA hard disk drive, this is in line in preparing your hard drive for OS installation.