Bridging Certification Gaps in Electrical Installation and Maintenance: A Competency-Based Improvement Framework for TESDA Assessment Outcomes

Technical-vocational education and training (TVET) have become increasingly significant in the Philippines as the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) seek to produce employable graduates through the Senior High School (SHS) Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track. Despite sustained national efforts, certification outcomes in programs such as Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) remain inconsistent, resulting in skills certification gaps and attrition between program completion and national assessment. This study addressed these challenges by designing a Competency-Based Improvement Framework (CBIF) to enhance TESDA assessment outcomes in EIM at Tablon National High School, Cagayan de Oro City. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the study analyzed three cohorts of EIM learners from 2022 to 2025, examining trends in assessment participation and performance alongside learner-related and institutional factors. Findings revealed pronounced attrition points across cohorts, marked by declining assessment participation and fluctuating passing rates. The framework proposes a practical and transferable model for strengthening SHS TVL implementation and improving TESDA certification outcomes.