While the Department of Education (DepEd) implements policies and programs on basic education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is focused on technical vocational education and training. Both agencies work closely with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) when it comes to educational programs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
TESDA was created in 1994 by virtue of Republic Act No. 7796. By providing, managing, and supervising quality technical-educational skills development programs, its main goal is to help develop a Filipino workforce with “world-class competence and positive values.”
Vision, Mission, and Values
According to its official website, TESDA is envisioned to be “the transformational leader in the technical education and skills development of the Filipino workforce.”
Meanwhile, TESDA’s mission includes setting direction, promulgating standards, and implementing programs geared towards a quality-assured and inclusive technical education and skills development and certification system.
Furthermore, the agency’s values statement is as follows: “We believe in demonstrated competence, institutional integrity, personal commitment, culture of innovativeness, and a deep sense of nationalism.”
Key Programs
TESDA oversees a wide range of technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs, which are carried out via four modalities: school-based, center-based, community-based, and enterprised-based. It also implements an extensive assessment and certification system.
School-Based Programs
These programs include post-secondary courses of varying duration, but not exceeding three years. There are currently 57 TESDA-administered schools across the country, including 31 trade schools, 19 agricultural schools, and seven fishery schools.
Center-Based Programs
Some courses are taught in TESDA’s training centers, which are located in different parts of the Philippines. At present, the agency has 15 Regional Training Centers and 45 Provincial Training Centers nationwide.
Community-Based Programs
Community-based programs cater to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sectors, particularly those who are not able to access formal training. Aside from providing trainees with knowledge and skills, these programs include the creation of livelihood enterprises that will be managed by the trainees themselves. Partnerships with Local Government Units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), private groups, and other stakeholders are also made to support these community programs.
Enterprise-Based Programs
As the term implies, these programs are implemented in coordination with companies or firms. There are three main types: apprenticeship, learnership, and a dual training system.
- Apprenticeship Program. This is a training and employment program that involves a contract between an apprentice and his/her employer.
- Learnership Program. This is an on-the-job training program for a TESDA-approved “learnable” occupation, usually lasting three months or less.
- Dual Training System. This is a technology-based education and training program that takes place in two venues: the school or training center, and the company.
Assessment and Certification
Regardless of the modality used, all TESDA trainees are assessed through what is known as the Philippine TVET Competency Assessment and Certification System (PTCACS). Those who meet competency standards are given certification, indicating that they are skilled and “employable,” both inside and outside the country. Interestingly, the agency has a Registry of Certified Workers, which serves as a directory of certified workers for different occupations around the Philippines.
Contact Information: TESDA Central Office
If you have any queries or concerns, you can get in touch with the TESDA Central Office through the following contact details:
Address: East Service Rd, Taguig, 1630 Metro Manila
Telephone: 02 8888 5641
Email: contactcenter@tesda.gov.ph
Website: http://www.tesda.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TESDAOfficial
Google Map:
Thanks to TESDA, Filipinos can train and become certified for various technical and vocational occupations, locally and internationally, too. The agency is a big help to OWWA member-OFWs and their families, who aspire to be “global professionals” and entrepreneurs.
Speaking of training, the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) is another program that OWWA offers to OFWs and their dependents. Visit this link to read all about this program.