Cascading of the National Trainer and Assessor Program

Ever since the recently concluded ASEAN Master Assessors Training on Front Office in Bali, Indonesia last October 13-31, 2014, we have been waiting for the call of the Department of Tourism when the cascading will be set.

Finally, it has been set on Feb. 5, 2015 at the DOT Bldg. Upon numerous follow-ups on the plans and updates for the roll-out of the National Trainers and Assessors Training Program, the initiative has been set to cascade the direction with regard to the said training.

It's about time. Unlike Thailand, who has set their cascading last December 2014, they have already rolled out two (2) training programs during the start of the year,  with an average of thirty (30) participants per session.

One a personal note, we should share the same sense of urgency of our Thai brothers and sisters and make this happen. Despite the ASEAN integration being moved to December 31, 2015, we should establish the integration sooner, as it will take some time before we can finally feel its effects in the hospitality sector, both in industry and the academe.

I shall give an update how the meeting goes.

ACCSTP and its relevance to ASEAN Integration:

ACCSTP stands for ASEAN Common Competency Standards for Tourism Professionals, and are "blueprints" that support the implementation of competency-based common ASEAN tourism programs. These said standards are minimum requirements in the hotel and travel services, which aim to upgrade tourism services.

There are a total of 242 Competency Standards in the ACCSTP that enable stakeholders to develop and implement tourism training programs which contain the minimum standards required for participants to undertake a job effectively in the industry. 

In preparation for ASEAN Integration, it is imperative that industry practioners and the academe start integrating the ACCSTP in their curriculum and prove to be competent in such.

As part of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), standards and high levels of of training and assessment for all students who undertake training within the Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum (CATC) and the Regional Qualifications Framework and Skills Recognition System (RQFSRS) are ensured. These qualifications shall also be recognized by all ASEAN Member States and shall promote the ease of movement of tourism professionals where there is a high supply or demand for their services. 

The greater question now stands for the Filipino Hotelier: given that you shall be assessed and certified "competent" in the ASEAN competency standards, and now shall be qualified and recognized to go to any ASEAN member state, will you stay or will you go? With opportunities of an international experience, as well as potential higher salary, will our professionals leave and just contribute to the GNP because of their remittances?