CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is intensifying efforts to bring Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to disadvantaged areas across Central Luzon, as part of its commitment to improving access to skills development.
During the 29th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency, TESDA Assistant Regional Director Eric Ueda discussed the agency’s initiatives to provide flexible training opportunities for communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
“We encourage our provincial offices to really go, and we have been doing that for quite some time already, to go and bring training to disadvantaged areas. This modality is very flexible, considering that we bring the training to the mountains; to places that do not have a training institution,” he stated.
The agency has been collaborating with partner Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) and its own TESDA Technology Institutions to implement these mobile training programs.
“We do this throughout the region. And, what is interesting is that our fellow citizens are really interested in gaining skills training,” Ueda shared.
Moreover, Ueda highlighted that one of the eight-point agenda items of TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, as presented to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is improving access to TVET.
This includes the flexibility of training modalities that bring education to areas without training centers or TVIs, in addition to the online training program, which is accessible to everyone.
Aside from on-site training, the agency offers an open platform for its TESDA Online Program (TOP), which provides self-paced learning.
Ueda explained that TOP allows users to access lessons, video tutorials, and institutional assessments at their convenience.
He added that once participants complete and pass the institutional assessment, they will receive certificates that can be used to continue their training at TESDA centers.
These certificates allow individuals to have their skills recognized and potentially earn a National Certificate through further assessments.
TESDA’s comprehensive approach underscores its dedication to increase access to essential skills training and certifications, empowering residents of disadvantaged areas to pursue employment and livelihood opportunities. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
