The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) aims to work closely with relevant agencies to establish programs meant to promote textile tourism, as it integrates environmental sustainability in its competency standards.
TESDA Director General Dr. Jose Francisco Benitez considered textile tourism an “exciting new avenue” given that the textile industry is not just about fabrics and fibers but also “the stories we weave, the cultures we preserve and the future we envision.”
“…As we train artisans and community leaders, we are hoping to develop programs that allow tourists to visit weaving communities and see them at work and even try weaving for themselves,” Benitez said in his message during the recent 2024 Philippine Textile Congress, read by Executive Director El Cid Castillo of the Qualification and Standards Office.
Benitez said TESDA has been designing training regulations and competency standards which incorporate environmental sustainability.
“This is crucial because as we know, there is a global demand for sustainable fashion. By incorporating environmental principles, we are creating artisans for both skilled and environmentally conscious. They not only contribute to the local economy but also to a sustainable future and an accomplishment that we can all be proud of,” he said.
In the development of competency standards for the traditional weaving sector, Benitez said TESDA has partnered and collaborated with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the academe, government agencies, service providers and the communities to ensure that the qualifications and skills are well-defined.
He said the agency is also encouraging lifelong learning by offering stackable qualifications in the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program.
“This modular approach allows our graduates to continuously upskill in areas such as digital textile design, eco-friendly dyeing techniques and business management. This ensures that they stay competitive and adaptable. In an industry, there is always advancing in terms of technology and market demands,” he added.
Further, Benitez said TESDA also fosters interdisciplinary knowledge through its support for social enterprises.
“By providing training that combines weaving techniques with business and marketing skills, we are empowering these communities to create sustainable businesses. We have also developed standards on entrepreneurship and are implementing the same to help communities, businesses and social enterprises,” he said.
