The Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) is a community-based initiative of TESDA that provides skills training with entrepreneurship components to promote self-employment and livelihood generation. As mandated by TESDA’s scholarship guidelines, all STEP beneficiaries must undergo Entrepreneurship (Entrep) Training to complement their technical qualifications and prepare them for enterprise development. In support of this directive, RTC-KPVTC, Davao mobilized its certified Entrepreneurship trainers to deliver the required training component to STEP scholars in Mati City, Davao Oriental.
From September to October 2025, TESDA RTC-KPVTC, Davao successfully conducted Entrepreneurship Training for STEP scholars in Mati City, Davao Oriental. The training was facilitated by Mr. Jonathan V. Lopez, Engr. Lougino A. Miguel, and Ms. Mary Grace P. Arellano, who served as the designated Entrepreneurship trainers for the activity.
Delivered onsite, the training catered to STEP scholars enrolled in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II, Bread and Pastry Production (BPP) NC II, and Cookery NC II. Each session was designed to equip participants with foundational entrepreneurial competencies, including business planning, product costing, marketing strategies, and financial literacy. Trainers contextualized the discussions based on the learners’ qualifications, allowing them to explore viable livelihood opportunities aligned with their technical skills.
Interactive activities and guided planning exercises enabled participants to apply entrepreneurial concepts in real-world scenarios. The training also emphasized the importance of innovation, customer orientation, and sustainability in microenterprise development.
This initiative not only fulfilled the entrepreneurship requirement of the STEP scholarship but also empowered scholars with practical knowledge and confidence to pursue self-employment or start small businesses. It further demonstrated RTC-KPVTC, Davao’s commitment to inclusive, community-responsive training delivery and its continued support for TESDA’s mission of transforming lives through technical education and entrepreneurship.