College is not for everybody. Four or five years of studying, when you’re really not interested, can be a waste of time and money. And sometimes, it’s money you don’t have to begin with. But parents are eager to send their kids to university, with the expectation that a diploma will guarantee their children a brighter future.
These days, though, having a degree in anything is not an assurance of a promising career. And to add to the problem, although a few of us are born knowing what we want to become when we’re older, most of us have no clue. A lot of children grow up with no direction, not knowing what they want to do with their lives, even into adulthood. That’s why I like the concept of a high school that incorporates a variety of vocational subjects into their curriculum. That way, students get an idea of what they like and of the industries that they could possibly get into.
Now, if you’re already an adult, time is of the essence. You probably know yourself better, and have a much clearer vision of what you want to do with the rest of your life. But who wants to sit through semesters of general subjects when, for some industries, all you need to know can be taught to you in less than a year?
Training centers that offer technical-vocational (tech-voc) courses have long existed in the Philippines. They make it possible to gain the right skills in a short amount of time and to get employed soon after. You’ll spend less time and money, but you’ll have what you need to get started. You can also get National Certification of your skills from TESDA and this could pave the way for overseas employment in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, which consider TESDA accreditation as a valid credential.
Electron College of Technical Education (Electron), established in 2002, is TESDA accredited and offers both training and assessment for National Certification in several locations – Valenzuela, Marilao, Muñoz, Pasig, España, Pasay, Parañaque, Cainta, Las Piñas, and its flagship campus at 664 Quirino Highway, Bagbag, Novaliches. The center was formerly known as Electron Technical Vocational Training Center.
- Laptop Repair
- Web Design
- CCTV Security
- Surveillance Camera
For ten days of tutorial and hands-on training, you can be taught the following:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Massage Therapy
- Hairdressing
- Beauty Care
- AutoCAD with Drafting
- English Proficiency with Call Center
- Computer Programming
- Bookkeeping
- Bartending
In 15 days of study, you can acquire knowledge and skills in these fields:
- Computer Technician
- Computer Science
- Computer Secretarial
- Electronics Technician
- Gas and Diesel Mechanic
- Practical Electricity
- Refrigerator and Aircon Technician
- Industrial Electricity
- Motorcycle Mechanic
- Welding (Shielded Metal Arc Welding or SMAW)
- Dressmaking
If you have time, you may want to take up some of these five-month courses:
- Computer Hardware Servicing NCII
- Advanced Hairdressing NCII
- English Proficiency with Call Center
- Programming NCIV
- Bartending NCII
- Driving NCII – Electron is the only tech-voc school in Metro Manila that is a TESDA accredited training and assessment center for Driving NCII. Electron is also the partner of UNTV’s Manibela Academy in teaching safe driving skills.
- SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) NCII
- Consumer Electronics Servicing NCII
- Advanced AutoCAD with Interior Design
- Finishing Course for Call Center Agents
- Housekeeping NCII
- Food and Beverage NCII
- Massage Therapy NCII
- Motorcycle Servicing NCII
- Bookkeeping NCIII
Short-course takers can avail of free refresher courses via their privilege card, which is valid for two years. Electron also conducts reviews and assessments for National Certification. You can even get your National Certificate Level II (NCII) without having to go through Level I.
There are one-year courses as well, which will be restructured in June 2015 so that they can be continued to a four-year degree, if desired:
- Computer Technology
- Information Technology
- Automated Office Management System
- Electronics Technology
- Automotive Technology
Electron has two-year diploma courses, which can also lead to a four-year degree:
- Electronics and Computer Technology
- Management in Information and Communication Technology
- Business Management
- Hospitality and Restaurant Services
The two-year Healthcare Services course, which is the updated version of the once popular caregiver course, will start next school year. Electron is also planning to offer four-year vocational courses that will be accredited by CHED, hopefully by next year as well:
- Technical Vocational Teacher Education
- Information Systems
- Tourism Management
You can choose from various class schedules: MWF, TTh, Saturdays only, or Sundays only. And the class timings are 8am-12nn, 1-5pm, and 5-9pm.
Electron offers quality, comprehensive learning with hands-on study for low tuition fees. They have WiFi on campus and most rooms are air-conditioned. There is no entrance exam and no age limit; you can enroll as long as you can read and write. For the ladderized courses, though, one has to be a high school graduate to comply with the requirements of higher education.
Expect to pay about ₱4,370.00 for a 10-15 day short course, approximately ₱12,880 for a five-month course, and around ₱4,990.00 per semester for a two-year course. And if you can’t come up with the whole amount at once, you have the option of paying your ₱ 500.00 or ₱1,000.00 enrolment fee upfront, then the rest of your tuition fee in five to ten installments. Electron can also provide four-day one-on-one tutorials for around ₱6,800.00.
For the courses that require on-the-job training (OJT), Electron helps the students with placement. After their internship, some students are hired as employees by the companies they trained with.
Electron is celebrating its anniversary on 19 December with a skills competition at SM Fairview. They usually invite former students to participate during the yearly celebrations, but not all of them can make it, probably because they’ve already found employment overseas. After all, according to its founder, President, and CEO, Dr. Dominador V. Solis, PhD, Electron can be “your passport to work locally and abroad” because “Pag graduate ka ng Electron, trabaho ang maghahanap sa’yo.”
For more information on courses, schedules, and pricing, you can contact Electron College of Technical Education directly:
Phone number: +63 2 4182232
Website: www.electrontechvoc.com
facebook: Electron Technical Training Center Inc
YouTube: ElectronETTC
