The Ladderized Education Program

Source: Milagros Dawa-HernandezDeputy Director GeneralTESDA Philippines

11th SEAMEO INNOTECH International Conference

[Executive Order No. 358] September 15, 2004

WHEREAS, the agenda of this administration prioritizes the creation of six to ten million jobs and the expansion of youth opportunities.

WHEREAS, the present compartmentalization of TVET and HE hinders the recognition and accreditation of competence in technical-vocational skills HE and vice-versa:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ladderized Education?Ladderized Education is a new system of

education in the Philippines that allows learners to progress between Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and College, and vice-versa.

Ladderized Education opens opportunities for career and educational advancement to students and workers.

What is Executive Order 358?

Executive Order 358, promulgated by the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on September 15, 2004, provides the mandate and legal framework for wider-scale and accelerated implementation of Ladderized Education nationwide.

Why Ladderized Education?Ladderized Education is the answer then to this wasteful duplication. Ladderation provides the Tech-Voc graduate with Gateways or entry points to a College Degree Program where he can earn appropriate, equivalent credits for previous learning acquired in Tech-Voc. It also allows learner to obtain a Tech-

Under the system, what are the different ways by which a student can transfer or move between tech-Voc and College Education?

1. Credit Transfer from Tech-Voc to College and Articulation

2. Embedded Tech-Voc Qualification in Ladderized Degree Programs (Credit Units given from College to Tech-Voc)

Ladderized Programs being implemented in the past, even before E.O. 358. What is the status of these programs? Can they continue?

Yes those Ladderized Programs were in exixtence and use even before E.O. 358. Those Programs can continue as they are, atleast until the end of School Year 2006-2007, which has been set as a transition period by TESDA and CHEd.

I just graduated from High School and I am interested in enrolling in a Ladderized Program this coming school year. What should I do?

1. For SY 2006-2007, Ladderized Education will be implemented in eight (8) disciplines, namely: Agriculture, Education, Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Health, Maritime, Business Tourism and Criminology should select course or program that is included in this initial list of eight (8) Ladderized disciplines.

2. If the College Degree Program is included in the list of Ladderized Programs, go to a College or University that has been authorized to offer Ladderized College Degree Program to apply for enrollment. You will find lists of authorized institutions that operate Ladderized Programs, including other information on ladderization, from TESDA and CHEd Regional as well as Provincial Offices 

What if I am a previous Tech-Voc graduate who intends to go back to school and enroll in a College Degree Program? Can I have my Tech-Voc course(s) credited in the Degree Program I am enrolling in? How do I apply?

1. If you are a Tech-Voc graduate or worker who already has full National Certificate (NC) qualifications based on Training Regulations, you may apply for admission in a College Program of your choice. Lists of authorized institutions may be obtained from TESDA and CHEd Regionaland Provincial Offices.

2. If you are a Tech-Voc graduate or worker who does not hold a National Certificate (NC) yet, then you need to undergo competency assesment in the relevant area of your expertise. Once you pass the assessment, and obtain a national Certificate, you can apply for admission in a College or University authorized to offer the Ladderized College Degree Program of your choice. The list of the authorized institutions may be obtained from TESDA and CHEd Regional and Provincial Offices.

Job Platforms that can be achieved in selected ladderized

degree program

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

To encourage wider participation in the LEP, a scholarship program has been established and funded through the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo-Training for Work Scholarship Program (PGMATWSP).

The LEP scholarship is provided at the first tech-voc qualification to enable the student to earn a qualification that can provide him with employable skills. For SY 2006-2007 and SY 2007-2008, about 90,000 students have been beneficiaries of the LEP scholarship.

As of December 31, 2007, there are already 701 higher education institutions (HEIs) offering LEP in 1,269 ladderized degree programs with 3,326 embedded tech-voc qualifications. From these programs, a total of 152,346 enrollees have been registered nationwide.

To further facilitate the progressive implementation of LEP, Executive Order 694 entitled “Enabling Higher Education Institutions to Opt to Ladderize their Degree Programs without Need for Issuance of Permit from CHED and TESDA,” was issued last January 18, 2008. This Executive Order basically streamlines the application process for institutions intending to offer the LEP. The implementing guidelines, as developed by CHED and TESDA, have been issued through CHED Memorandum No. 43.

Degree Program TVET Qualification

1) BS in Computer Science • Contact Center Services NC II• Programming NC IV

2) BS in Information Systems • Contact Center Services NC II• Animation NC II• 2D Animation NC III

3) BS in Fisheries • Aquaculture NC II

4) BS in Agricultural Engineering

• Rice Machinery Operation NC II

5) BS in Optometry • Ophthalmic Lens Services NC II

6) BS in Respiratory Therapy • Emergency Medical Services NCII

7) BS in Civil Engineering • Reinforced Steel Bar (RSB) Installation NC II

8) BS in Electronics and CommunicationsEngineering

• Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II, III & IV• Mechatronics NC I, III & IV• Instrumentation & Control Servicing NC II, III & IV

9) BS in Accountancy • Bookkeeping NC II