QUEST

QUEST is currently registered to deliver eight TESDA-registered programs that are exclusively welding courses; however, one course, the Shielded Metal Arch Welding National Certificate Level 1 (SMAW NCI) is identified as basic and is a requisite for all other seven courses. National Certification Level II as the highest attainable qualification in this institution.

Background

Quality Education Services and Training (QuEST) School is a private Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution recognised by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). It has more recently been accredited with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). It is a private educational organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This school was established in 2008 with the mission of offering opportunities of life success particularly to the socioeconomically disadvantaged through the provision of quality vocational and technical education in the Metals and Engineering Sector that will result in the acquisition of globally competitive practical, work-based skills and strong work ethic.

Its close partner, QuEST Manpower Services, provides workplace experience, enhancing the training program and producing a work-ready graduate.

Facilities and equipment

A class allows a maximum of 25 students to ensure a one-to-one correspondence of trainee to machine or equipment and other resources. The availability of sufficient resources is a feature of the school that has become the basis of student choice.

The school maintains that students will have the opportunity to master the set skills in a limited amount of time with the ready availability of machinery and equipment. Thus, the school undertakes routine maintenance of its equipment and has the ability to readily respond to related problems because it possesses the technical expertise in performing this task. This capability is not commonly shared by other institutions. Assessment by agencies of a number of technical education institution in the Philippines have shown poor maintenance of equipment because of lack of expertise. (Centre for Evaluation, 2010).

The Teaching and Learning Environment

Prior to formally offering its courses, in 2007, a representation from Swan TAFE (renamed Polytechnic West) in Western Australia, assessed the facilities and trainer qualifications as sufficient for the welding training.

All staff directly involved in student instruction are qualified trainers holding National TVET Trainer Accreditation (NTTA), assessor qualifications, possessing higher education qualifications with industry experience. The head teacher also holds a professional teacher’s license.

Mastery learning underpins the overall instruction that emphasises skill acquisition, performance and productivity. Teacher-student contact is not limited to the school environment. The complementary role of QuEST Manpower Services as a skilled labour provider creates the opportunity for an extended teacher-student contact to facilitate learning that is felt to contribute to mastery of the skill. The head teacher, while involved in classroom instruction, performs regular visits and contact with industry/employer, creating an opportunity for constant update of employer/industry needs and feedback on trainee graduates, consequently informing teaching and the provision of more relevant instruction.

Instruction emphasises all-around competence in all aspects of welding but considers individual differences among students in acquiring competencies. An enabling factor is that the teacher is also responsible in the deployment of trainees to partner industries and locates the learner in the industry based on the trainees potential and capabilities.

Teamwork , that is essential in the workplace is translated to collaboration in the classroom. Grouping is assigned by the teacher in such a way that the combined abilities and experiences of members of the group will enhance performance of the individual member.

The school recognises the value of literacy for successful employment and has initially collaborated with Star of Asia, a locally based English test review center for those applying for overseas employment or migration. The method of instruction has been carried through and is currently incorporated in the training program.

Constant student feedback on progress against specific criteria is provided though an individual student performance/progress chart.

Student Profile

To date, 617 students successfully graduated from this school, 96% are male. 94% of the enrolees in this institution are aged 18 and above with 57% between the ages of 18-64, 19% of the students possess some tertiary qualification and 8% are employed.

Industry linkage

All QuEST students through QuEST Manpower Services undergo work placement mainly in the sugar mills and construction. The school performs very well in meeting the required employment rate of its graduates reaching 85%. In 2015, all graduates except those who pursued higher education were successfully employed. As a prerequisite for graduation, graduate candidates undergo formal external assessment conducted by TESDA with 93% successfully attaining certification in the first round.

Future

The school with its established industry linkage and strong local government and community support is set in a well-established urban area. The implementation of the Philippine educational policy changes that will actively involve VET, sets opportunities for growth particularly in its catchment area where there are 27 schools offering secondary education, seven of which are private.

QuEST is currently working on expanding its courses in the Metals and Engineering Sector, starting with Machining. The school is also awaiting final TESDA/CHED approval to offer Emergency Management Services Training.