07 July 2021
Taguig City — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is set to strengthen the construction sector in Cebu and address unemployment and job-skill mismatch in the area.
Last June 10, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña and Cebu Contractors Association Inc. (CCA) President Engr. Francis Gerard Cañedo signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the establishment of an industry board in Central Visayas.
Under the MoA, TESDA shall facilitate the development of Training Regulations, Curricula, Assessment Tools, Expansion of Assessment and Certification Infrastructure and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Program Registration engaging the expertise of the Construction Industries.
TESDA shall likewise develop incentives and guidelines that would encourage wider participation of the industry in the implementation of enterprise-based (RBT) programs.
For CCA, it shall provide the necessary labor market information to TESDA in aid of policy and program decisions. It shall also lead and provide experts in analyzing forecasting skills need for skill development and conduct capability building interventions for trainers and assessors.
In his speech, Lapeña said that the partnership will uncover a lot of opportunities, as the newly created industry board will serve as the channel of the existing industries in terms of design and implementation of projects, programs, and activities for TVET scholars.
“We will tap the experts in the construction industries in the development and regular review of our training programs to ensure that what we teach in TESDA is at par with international standards,” he said.
Lapeña likewise noted that establishing an industry board in every region is important as this will encourage participation of partners from the private sector in improving various aspects of TVET in the country.
He added that since his assumption as TESDA Director General in 2018, the agency has intensified their efforts in establishing linkages and stakeholders in shaping globally- competitive workers.
“This is our way of ensuring that our actions are harmonized with end-users — that the skills we provide are responsive to the needs and requirements of the industries,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lapeña expressed hope that the partnership will empower more Filipinos especially those who are in the lower strata of the society. He lauded CCA for continuous support to TESDA.
Also present during the MoA signing were CCA Vice President Benedict Uy, TESDA Deputy Director General for TESD Operations Lina Sarmiento and TESDA Chief-of-staff Director Juliet Orozco. ###
13 July 2021
TESDA Chief assures help to advance TVET in BARMM
Taguig City – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Isidro Lapeña has assured the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) of appropriate assistance in improving the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in the area.
Lapeña made the statement as the TESDA Region XII on July 9 turned over assets, equipment, and properties of Cotabato City District Office and Provincial Training Center (PTC) – Cotabato to BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE)
“As TESDA is guided by its principle ‘TESDA Abot Lahat,’ we declare our commitment to help the MBHTE in advancing TVET in BARMM. I look forward to the successful implementation of your TVET programs,’ Lapeña said.
The ceremonial turnover was in line with the implementation of the Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law signed in 2018.
Last October 30, 2020, Lapeña and MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the devolution of power, control, and supervision to TESD-BARMM over programs and projects allocated for or to be implemented in the Bangsamoro region.
Under the MoA, said programs and projects, whether locally-funded or foreign-assisted, including scholarships and grants, and assets with the corresponding budgetary support, shall be transferred to the Bangsamoro Government, through the MBHTE.
Meanwhile, in his message of acceptance, Iqbal expressed his gratitude to TESDA by ensuring that TVET will continue to be inclusive and within reach.
“It is, therefore, our inescapable duty in the MBHTE to see to it that this purpose is fulfilled. I look forward to collaborating with TESDA as we aspire to achieve higher excellence in TVET,” Iqbal added.
Also present during the virtual event were Deputy Director General for TESD Operations Lina Sarmiento, TESDA XII Regional Director Rafael Abrogar II, Deputy Minister Atty. Haron Meling and TESD Bangsamoro Director General Ruby Andong. ###
1 7July 2021
Caregiving remains most preferred TESDA training by OFWs
TAGUIG CITY – Caregiving NC II is still the most in demand training course of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as of June 2021.
Based on the latest data released by the agency, about 1,299 finished their training in Caregiving NC II or 11.56 percent of the total number of OFWs who trained under various TESDA training courses this year.
The said total number of OFW trainees, who finished the said training course, rose from 781 which was recorded last April 2021.
TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña explained that this is because of the rising demand for caregivers in other countries like Israel.
“Other countries admire our good traits as Filipinos and we, in TESDA, maximize the potential of our caregivers by equipping them with enough knowledge and world class competency in caregiving,” he said.
It was November last year when the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration announced that 500 Filipino caregivers are needed in Israel under a government-to-government scheme with no placement fee required.
Lapeña also added that the agency continues to strengthen its Caregiving NC II training and assessment facilities around the country, now that COVID-19 restrictions are gradually relaxing.
“This is part of our efforts in giving our OFWs the adequate service that they need in line with President Duterte’s directive. We will always make sure that ‘TESDA Abot Lahat ang OFWs,'” he assured.
“TESDA Abot Lahat ang OFWs” is a TESDA program launched June last year to help upskill OFWs who are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, other OFWs made Driving NC II the second in demand TESDA training course with 1,190 graduates or 10.59 percent recorded as of June 2021.
This is followed by Bread and Pastry NC II with 915 graduates or 8.14 percent of the total 11,240 OFWs who graduated in various TESDA training courses in the first half of this year. Around 5,558 of them are either returning or repatriated while 5,682 are their dependents.
Most of them are coming from Region VI (Western Visayas) with a total number of 1,021; followed by Region VII (Central Visayas) with 595; and Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) with 470. ###