Intel, TEVSAPHIL INC. launch nationwide digital literacy initiative

Intel Easy Steps to be integrated across technical vocation training programs

HIGHLIGHTS
•    Digital skills are seen as most critical to economic growth especially in the Asia Pacific region. Governments are encouraged to revamp education and offer more opportunities for employment to hasten economic development.
•    To address the increasing demand for skilled technical workers, Intel and the Technical Vocational Schools and Associations of the Philippines Inc. (TEVSAPHIL INC.) are working to integrate the Intel Easy Steps course – which offers materials on basic computer skills and the practical uses of technology – across TEVSAPHIL INC.’s training programs nationwide.
•    To date, Intel Easy Steps, through its various partners, have reached a total of 54,034 grassroots learners and 1,182 trainers.
•    Intel is looking at this collaboration to scale the reach of the Intel Easy Steps through the 4,500-strong private vocational school network of TEVSAPHIL INC.

Leading technology innovator Intel Philippines today announced its collaboration with the Technical Vocational Schools and Associations of the Philippines Inc. (TEVSAPHIL INC.) to implement the Intel Easy Steps digital literacy course materials in the programs offered by TEVSAPHIL INC. member schools and institutions. The partnership aims to accelerate change, improve lives, and transform Philippine competitiveness by equipping all technical vocational (tech-voc) learners with digital literacy skills to prepare them for the 21st century workplace.

The rapidly developing digital economy is increasing the demand for highly skilled technical workers across the Asia Pacific region. Digital literacy is quickly becoming an important component in the development of competitive and robust economies across the region, and governments are urged to invest in education and provide more employment opportunities now more than ever before.

Despite being projected to be among the fastest growing economies in the world, an alarming number of the Philippines’ potential adult workforce remains unemployed. To address this issue, Intel and TEVSAPHIL INC. are launching a national movement to enhance grassroots learners’ opportunities for economic self-sufficiency by training them to be digitally literate and teaching them the practical uses of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools.

“These days, knowing how to use ICT tools like computers, tablets, word processing, email, the internet among others is imperative in delivering quality services in healthcare, tourism, and business process outsourcing,” said Alex T. Escaño, Chairman & President, TEVSAPHIL INC. “We envision a future where the Filipino workforce can readily harness the power of technology for both employment and their lives outside work. Our partnership with Intel is definitely a step towards that direction.”

In partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and individual private institutions, TEVSAPHIL INC. offers programs that provide technical vocational education and training programs to both the youth and adults. With the Intel Easy Steps course integrated into its programs, TEVSAPHIL INC. will be able to improve the digital literacy skills of both trainers and tech-voc students, who will in turn impart their acquired skills to other members.

“We have seen great success from Intel Easy Steps in the Philippines, and we are very grateful for the continued support of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). We are very hopeful that with this complementary partnership with TEVSAPHIL INC., we will be able to reach more technical vocation learners and together achieve a digitally literate workforce in the future,” said Yvonne Flores, Corporate Affairs Manager, Intel Philippines.”

Last year, Intel Easy Steps trained 21,824 learners and 906 trainers in the country. This year, the program managed to train 14,582 learners and 384 trainers. To date, Intel Easy Steps has reached a total of 54,034 grassroots learners and 1,182 trainers through its local partners.

Intel Easy Steps teaches adult learners basic computer skills like word processing, spreadsheets, multimedia, internet, and email, and trains them how to use these skills for entrepreneurship and employment. To date, the program has reached more than 1million users in 20 countries around the world.

“Our partnership with TEVSAPHIL INC. does not only extend our reach to more Filipinos but it also helps us provide more opportunities for quality education, new job skills, and personal growth through ICT and digital learning,” Flores added. Intel continues to work closely with governments and NGOs to deliver education, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship programs that empower communities, improve employability, and increase economic opportunity.

On February 7, 2014, TESDA in collaboration with TEVSAPHIL INC. and the Cebu Association of Private / Public TVET Institution (CAPTI) will hold the 1st International Tech-Voc forum at the Waterfront Hotel Lahug. The International TechVoc forum will discuss topics on Agriculture training in modern technology for progress, the Intel Easy Steps program, ASEAN skills integration, the use of technology for tech-voc, growing agripreneurship, global workforce trends in the human age, and other interesting topics that will inspire our next generation to participate in tech-voc education.

For more information on Intel Philippines, log on to the Intel Philippines Facebook Page or follow Intel Philippines on Twitter (@IntelPilipinas).