Following the initial batch of 312 certified small business counselors in 2015 is an expected 350 more in 2016 through the Small Business Counselors Course (SBCC) being conducted by UP ISSI in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Human Resource and Administrative Service as well as its regional offices in all 18 regions of the country.
SBCC is ladderized program which aims to capacitate and upgrade the knowledge, aptitude, skills and habits of DTI’s supervisors, technical and non-technical staff assigned in various Negosyo Centers in the regions. Negosyo Centers are one-stop shops created under Republic Act (RA) No. 10644 that are responsible for “ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for [micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs] within its jurisdiction”. They are also mandated under the law to provide assistance to MSMEs in the availment of technology transfer, production and management training programs and marketing assistance of the DTI, Department of Science and Technology, UP ISSI, Cooperative Development Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other agencies concerned.
RA 10644 or the “Go Negosyo Act” provides an opportunity to capacitate and standardize counseling competencies of DTI staff in providing business development services to the public, especially the MSMEs.
UP ISSI is currently conducting SBCC 101, with SBCC 102 to 105 in the negotiation phase as of writing.
UP ISSI has brought the SBCC 101 in three regions so far in the first half of the year: DTI CARAGA Region last February 22 to 26; DTI National Capital Region Office last May 2 to 6; DTI Region VI last May 23 to 27. DTI Regions VIII,V, I, and II are to be scheduled during the second half of 2016.