LNHS holds Immersion Fair 2016

By Mrs. Rhea M. Masalunga, School Paper Adviser- Ang Laiyan, Laiya NHS

K-12 Plus Project Coordinator Marcel Haessner (center left) and K-12 Plus Project Director Andreas
Meyn (center right) are flanked by ALRO members, teachers and students during the closing ceremony.

Learn better, earn higher.

This has been the theme of the recently concluded Immersion Fair 2016 held at Laiya
National High School (LNHS), March 21.

The half-day event gathered together different stakeholders who will provide work
immersion to expose Senior High School (SHS) students to actual workplace setting,
which will enrich their learning and competencies. The stakeholders include the
members of Association of Laiya Resorts Owner (ALRO) who agreed to a partnership
with LNHS in support of the DepEd’s SHS program. This Immersion Fair addresses the
requirements of Memorandum of Understanding between DepEd and ALRO that
specifies the rights of participating resorts to screen interns before the implementation
of the project. The fair also provided the school a better picture of the needs for the
immersion of students.

“I was very impressed when your principal (Josephine Rosales) presented the plan but I
am more than impressed seeing all the stakeholders; seeing the plan come into reality
today,” said Dr. Felizardo O. Bolaños, OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent,
during the opening ceremonies. Also present at the opening ceremony were SGOD
Chief David M. Nuay; K-12 Plus Project Coordinator Marcel Haessner; K-12 Plus
Project Director Andreas Meyn; LNHS principal Josephine D. Rosales and barangay
secretary Isabelo Sasuya.

The Immersion Fair Proper

Applicants are being interviewed by the owners, managers and representatives from different resorts.
Haessner (in barong tagalong) roams around to see the progress of the fair.
Paseo Verde owner and manager review the resume of a student from Laiya National High School

Twenty six resorts situated in the immediate vicinity of Laiya, San Juan, Batangas
accommodated the enrolees of TVL for their application and interview. These resorts
were represented by managers, owners and staff.

Acuatico Beach Resort RPL Island Bay

Acuaverde Beach Resort Casa Amara
Blue Coral Patio Socorro
Estrellas de Mendoza Calubcub Bay
Kabayan Beach Resort
Laiya Coco Grove Alah Biga
Laiya White Cove Yu and Ai Beach Resort
La Luz Beach Resort
Palm Beach Resort Punta Aguila
Punto Miguel Paseo Verde MCRC Beach Resort
Sabangan Beach Resort Kota Keluarga
Sigayan Bay Beach Resort Azotea de Laiya
Virgin Beach Resort Pahiyas Beach Resort
Tamarindu Beach Resort Casa Dolores

A total of 249 participants took advantage of the immersion fair to apply for internship to
not more than three participating resorts. Participants included students from Laiya
National High School, Calubcub National High School, Nagsaulay National High School
and graduates who enrolled in Technical Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) Program.
Owners, managers and representatives from different resorts accommodated the
students for interview.

Participants were divided into batches. Each batch was given 20 minutes to apply and
to be interviewed by the participating resorts. English is the preferred medium of
communication during the interview. It was explained to students that the position being
applied for is an internship post, not an employment post. Acceptance into the
immersion program of resorts is not a guarantee of employment in the concerned
resorts.

Dual vocational training system

The SHS program of LNHS adapted the dual vocational training system from Germany.
As part of the dual system, students will attend classes in school and receive internship
at a company. In the case of LNHS, students will have their internship at the resorts that
accepted them after the immersion fair.

In dual vocational training system, students will spend two weeks in school to acquire
theoretical knowledge. The next two weeks will be spent at the resort where they get to
apply the newly acquired knowledge in practice. In a regular class setting, students are
only given 80 hours in a semester for internship. In a dual vocational training system,
students will spend 240 hours in a semester at the resort. This will provide plenty of
opportunity and work experience for interns.

The combination of theory and practice give students a strong foundation which they
can use when they work after school.

The system was introduced and is being supported by German organizations such as
the Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Sequa, and the
K to 12 Plus Project.

MOA signing

At the end of the immersion fair, Rosales signed the Memorandum of Agreement with
the different resort owners and managers. The agreement states that the resorts are
accepting the interns for four semesters within two years.
Josphine Rosales signs the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the participating resorts.

Rosales also expressed her gratitude to all the stakeholders who extended their time to
accommodate the students. Special thanks were extended to Philippine Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Sequa, Palm Beach Resort and the Division of
Batangas for their valuable contribution in the planning, preparation and success of the
said affair.

“I am pretty sure that when these students applied for employment after high school,
they will easily be accepted because they are properly equipped with trainings and
experiences from the resorts where they had their internship,” said Haessner.