KANANGA, Leyte- One hundred twenty-eight students are on their way to having a bright future as they graduate from the Kananga-EDC Institute of Technology (KEITECH) Friday, June 1.
KEITECH is a technical-vocational school established in 2009 by geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in partnership with the local government of Kananga in Leyte and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Its mission is to help the poorest of the poor by addressing high poverty incidence and unemployment rate in the municipality of Kananga in Leyte and enabling qualified youth to acquire the top skills that are locally and globally in-demand. KEITECH has played a role that shaped not only the future of unemployed youth but also the true meaning of public-private partnership.
Each student receives a full scholarship and are given accommodations and meals for the duration of their training. Moreover, KEITECH’s 10-month training program is tailor-fit to the most in-demand jobs in construction, metals and engineering, and tourism and health and social services.
While it followed the prescribed curriculum of TESDA, KEITECH went one notch higher by incorporating life skills and values formation program so the trainees will acquire not just the technical skills but also the professionalism and right attitude towards work. This consists of a discipline-oriented training environment, with values development focusing on respect, honesty, teamwork, leadership, cleanliness, and others.
KEITECH’s 24 tourism trainees completed their on-the-job training (OJT) in Cebu Parklane International Hotel, Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, Castle Peak, and Hotel Elizabeth in Cebu City while the 28 metals & engineering trainees had their OJT in Keppel Marines Philippines in Batangas, Primary Structures Corp in Cebu, and Mac Builders in Ormoc. .
Now on its 9th year, over 945 students have already graduated from KEITECH with more than 96% of them now employed in the construction, shipping and tourism industries here and abroad and helping their families have better lives.
KEITECH Educational Foundation, Inc.(KEFI) President and former EDC President, Dr. Paul A. Aquino will lead today’s graduation ceremonies along with other KEFI officers, Kananga Mayor Rowena Codilla, TESDA Provincial Director Loreta D. Banario, and distinguished guests from KEITECH’s partner-employers.
This year’s excellence awardee is Sherwin Rey P. Salidaga who hails from Cogon, Ormoc City. The 2nd of four children, Sherwin graduated with honors in high school and worked part time as a welder and a construction helper while on his first year in college to support his family’s needs. Through KEITECH, more windows of opportunities will finally open up for him to really help improve his family’s life and fulfill his dreams.
Best tech-voc school
KEITECH graduates have consistently achieved a 100% passing rate in National Certifications. These rigid assessments attest to the quality of the graduates’ skills which will be their major asset in finding work around the country and abroad.
The tech-voc school facilitates job placement schemes such as mapping of employment opportunities, labor market intelligence report, tie-ups with companies and industries, on-line job kiosks, job referrals, job fair, and passport application assistance. Therefore, employment opportunities are expected not only in Leyte but even in Manila, Cebu, Batangas, and abroad. KEITECH’s noteworthy programs have made it a consistent TESDA Kabalikat awardee since 2013.(PR)
