• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental and the East West International Education Specialists Inc. (EWIES) yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement in connection with the implementation of micro-credential and certification programs for the upskilling and retooling individuals, through the Negros Occidental Language and IT Center (NOLITC).
Micro-credentials and certification programs empower individuals to enhance their skills efficiently and effectively, leading to better job performance and career advancement.
The MOU was signed on Monday, between Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and EWIES President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Layug, and witnessed by NOLITC vocational school administrator Ma. Cristina Orbecido, and Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz.
As stipulated in the MOU, EWIES will conduct certification and micro credentials for NOLITC participants, provide coaches, mentors, assessments, e-certificates, digital badges, course outline and coordinator during the implementation of micro-credential programs, provide internship and possible job opportunities for NOLITC students and graduates.
NOLITC, on the other hand, will market, promote and advertise in Negros Occidental all certification programs, micro-credentials and offerings of EWIES.
In a press briefing, Layug said EWIES will provide NOLITC students and professional skills, related to emerging technologies, such as data science, cyber security, digital marketing, cloud computing, AI, robotics, among others.
While the NOLITC is offering scholarships for such courses, Orbecido said they will also open it to professionals for a fee.
Orbecido said the signing of MOU aims to address the huge gap in terms of skills of graduates, noting that not all emerging technologies are being taught in schools.
This is very timely, because we don’t have such training in Bacolod City, such as cyber security, or data science, she added.
NOLITC is a registered and TESDA-accredited technical vocational school owned and operated by the provincial government of Negros Occidental. It specializes in information and communications technology (ICT) and language training, providing high-quality education and skills development to equip students for success in these dynamic sectors.
Layug said they will go full blast in operations by January next year, with NOLITC as the venue.
He disclosed that there is a big demand for cloud system analysts, data analysts and scientists, and cybersecurity professionals, which are high paying jobs in the country, especially in other countries.
Layug also said that they will also have trainers from other countries, while others will have to go to Bacolod City, for face to face classes.*
