ILAGAN CITY — A study conducted by researchers from Isabela School of Arts and Trades under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) highlights key barriers affecting the implementation of food safety training in technical-vocational education institutions in the Philippines.
The research, authored by Leigh Belle A. Manaligod and Celso C. Dumalig of Pangal Sur High School, was published in the International Journal of Scientific Multidisciplinary Research (IJSMR) 2026. It examines institutional challenges and enabling factors influencing training delivery from the perspectives of trainers and administrators.
Using a mixed-methods descriptive design involving 30 TESDA-certified trainers and administrators, the study provides a comprehensive picture of how structural, instructional, and policy-level factors shape food safety training effectiveness.
Time Constraints and Workload Affect Training Quality
One of the most significant barriers identified is limited training time, which often results in compressed instructional sessions and incomplete coverage of critical food safety topics.
Respondents also reported outdated training materials, insufficient laboratory equipment, and limited access to updated food safety information as recurring challenges affecting instructional delivery.
Survey results show an overall barrier perception mean score of 4.02, indicating that trainers and administrators generally agree these constraints significantly affect training effectiveness (see results table on page 465).
Limited access to digital learning tools further complicates efforts to modernize training approaches in vocational institutions.
Administrative Support Strengthens Program Implementation
Despite these constraints, strong administrative backing emerged as the most influential enabling factor, receiving the highest mean score of 4.30 among respondents (see table on page 466).
Trainer motivation also plays a crucial role in sustaining instructional quality. Even under resource limitations, committed instructors continue to adapt teaching strategies to maintain effective learning environments.
Clear TESDA guideline implementation and collaboration among institutional departments further reinforce training delivery consistency.
Hands-On Training Enhances Learner Competency
Simulation-based learning and real-world practice activities were identified as the most effective instructional components in the program.
Respondents strongly agreed that practical training tasks significantly improve competency development, reflected in a mean score of 4.25 (see table on page 468).
However, evaluation mechanisms still require improvement to better measure long-term learning outcomes and behavioral change among trainees.
Budget and Policy Alignment Remain Structural Challenges
Budget limitations emerged as the most critical institutional barrier, particularly affecting equipment upgrades and training infrastructure modernization.
Additional constraints include limited trainer participation in institutional planning, policy misalignment between national standards and local implementation contexts, and logistical barriers such as transportation and internet access in remote training sites.
Overall institutional challenge indicators recorded a mean score of 4.07, confirming the systemic nature of these constraints (see table on page 469).
Strengthening Vocational Food Safety Training Across Regions
Despite these challenges, the study concludes that TESDA-ISAT maintains a strong foundation for improving food safety training delivery through administrative support, professional development programs, and stakeholder collaboration.
Enhancing infrastructure investment, aligning policies with local realities, and strengthening trainer involvement in planning processes are recommended to elevate training quality and sustainability.
These findings offer valuable insights for vocational education systems across Southeast Asia seeking to strengthen workforce readiness in food safety and public health sectors.
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