TESDA-Isuzu Scholar Graduate Hired as Isuzu Motors Technical Service Engineer

For Joeminel Cutcharo, 21, having been hired by Isuzu Motors as Technical Service Engineer is like winning a Lotto jackpot prize.

Back in his younger days, the young scholar-graduate of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) started earning a living as ice candy and pandesal vendor to help his parents earn for their family’s subsistence and his education.

In August, though he missed the graduation ceremony because of his representation in the 12th ASEAN Skills Competition in Bangkok, Thailand, he was recognized valedictorian of Batch 13 in Automotive Servicing of TESDA’s Auto Mechanic Training Center with the support of Isuzu Motors and World Vision.

While in Thailand, he worked with 331 competitors of Team Philippines being one of Region-8’s representatives for the said competition in the field of Automobile Technology, and with the others, he also won for his region and for his country, the Medallion of Excellence.

Little did he know that a job was awaiting him on his return to the country.

Cutcharo expressed his gratitude to the people behind his victory especially the TESDA community, his trainers and the Izusu Motors for making the training possible.

“That I have been offered by the company who sent me to school, I believe it is pay-back time while I shall be earning fairly well, I was told”, he said.

He said his love and passion for his course and his family’s hard-up economic status were among his inspirations.

“I love this course, this is my weapon and nobody can ever take this out from me. This is a sure way to uplift the economic standing of my family,” he assured.

The medalist also emphasized the value of ambition by saying, it is not bad to be ambitious.

“We can achieve our dream and ambition as long as we believe in it”, he pointed out.

Ten ASEAN member-countries joined in the competition in 26 trade areas, where Philippines ranked 6th in the number of competitors, qualified to compete in 19 areas, with standards the team was able to meet.

During the said event, the Philippine Team garnered a total of eight medallions, one silver and two bronze medals in different trade areas participated in by different regions.

Meanwhile, TESDA is throwing the challenge to upgrade its equipment, update trainers’ skills and likewise upgrade the curriculum so as to level up to the international standards in all trade areas, and be more competitive in upcoming competitions.

According to Engr. Enrico Banario, TESDA Eastern Samar Provincial Director, they need to invest in more equipment and capacity building to be able to have quality graduates capable to compete in foreign competitions like ASEAN and World Skills Competition.

“With the country’s recent triumph, it only proves that TESDA’s vocational graduates are at par with the world’s skills standards, and that the training is very effective and of world class”, Banario said.

“The Philippines will host the 2022 competition, so we really have to prepare for more, to be able to sustain the excellence,” Banario added.

The TESDA Provincial Director finally said they have considered Cutcharo as one of the contenders in the upcoming 2019 World Skills Competition, the highest level of skills competition, as he has already proven his worth. (LDL/GTT/PIA8-Leyte)