TECHNICAL Education and Skill Development Authority Misamis Oriental Provincial Office (TESDA-MisOr) has taken a significant step forward in addressing the skills gap by focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) courses.
Under the commitment and initiative of Misamis Oriental Governor Pedro Unabia, TESDA-MisOr, in collaboration with the Cagayan de Oro City Technical Vocational Institute and Spark, successfully produced the first batch of trained youth in the field of practical AI courses.
On June 23, the Practical Artificial Intelligence Course, a seven-month program, saw the graduation of 16 out-of-school youth (OSY) learners.
The course aimed to equip these learners with operational skills in various aspects of practical artificial intelligence, including Fundamentals of AI in Practice Dataset Preparation and Annotation, Machine Learning Model Training, Machine Learning Model Deployment, Accuracy Reporting and Evaluation, and Data Storytelling and Visualization.
Governor Unabia expressed the importance of preparing the youth for the ongoing industrial revolutions, emphasizing the need to collaborate with industries and the local government.
The goal is to produce a capable and empowered youth who can contribute to the advancement of smart cities and municipalities, according to Unabia.
TESDA-10 Assistant Regional Director and TESDA MisOr Provincial Director Marigold Cherie Garrido highlighted the positive impacts of the program, stating that the trained OSY learners are now earning impressive incomes.
"We want to promote and showcase to the world that we have these exceptional talents for the next generation,” she added.
Thor Turrecha, CEO of Spark, the industry partner, acknowledged the initial doubts surrounding the implementation of an AI course for out-of-school youth.
However, through determination and a desire to improve the lives of these individuals and their families, the program proved successful, turning skeptics into believers.
Turrecha reassured the public that AI should not be feared, as it is designed to augment human capabilities rather than replace them entirely.
With human intervention necessary for inputting data and aiding the AI's knowledge, the importance of producing individuals skilled in AI cannot be understated.
As TESDA continues to adapt to the changing times, its mission to produce more youth equipped to face the challenges of the new industrial revolution remains steadfast.
Unabia's commitment and the collaborative efforts of TESDA-MisOr, the vocational institute, and industry partners demonstrate a determination to empower the youth and shape a prosperous future.
