TESDA to launch training program for OFWs

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Tuesday said it will launch an "Emergency Skills Training Program" on May 31 to assist returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the country. 

"Ila-launch natin itong emergency skills training program dahil maraming taong nangangailangan ng skills agad-agad. Kaya binuksan natin lahat ng skills training centers ng TESDA sa buong bansa," TESDA's Director General Guiling "Gene" Mamondiong said in a press conference held at the TESDA Central Office in Taguig City.

NOW: TESDA's Director General Guiling "Gene" Mamondiong holds presser. pic.twitter.com/zBePKYSM0B

— Marlly Bondoc (@marllybondoc) April 25, 2017

"Napakarami ng OFW na umuwi sa ating bansa na kailangan nila 'yung skills training kung gusto nilang bumalik sa ibang bansa. Kasi noong pumunta sila roon, 'yung skills nila ay hindi tugma sa pangangailangan ng kanilang mga employers," he added. 

The project aims to assist not only returning OFWs but also other target beneficiaries including out-of-school youth, rehabilitated drug surrenderees and their families, immediate relatives of policemen or soldiers who died in the line of duty, dependents of traffic enforcers, and the marginalized sector (informal settlers, persons with disabilities, and indigenous persons). 

The Emergency Skills Training Program is part of the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) and Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) of TESDA. 

"Ito po ay consistent sa TESDA development reform agenda na headed by Sec. Gene Mamondiong. Ito pong emergency skills training program ay tungkol po sa quick response training intervention para sa mga vulnerable groups," TESDA Women Center chief Maria Clara Ignacio said. 

"This is about creating noong tinatawag nating bagong pamahalaan, bagong mamayan, [at] bagong pag-asa," she added. 

Ignacio said that applicants should be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate. They should also bring at least two pieces of 1 x 1 photo with white background and fill up the application forms required. 

Online application will also be available, but Mamondiong advises applicants to go directly to TESDA centers. 

Those who want to participate in the program may start submitting their application forms on May 1 in Taguig and all district offices of TESDA - National Capital Region. 

The program will first be offered in TESDA training centers in the National Capital Region—TESDA Complex, TESDA Women's Center, National Language Skills Institute, and Human Resource Development Institute all located in Taguig City, and Quezon City Lingkod Bayan Skills Development Center. 

"In consonance with this, all Regional and Provincial Training Centers including TESDA Administered Schools are directed to maintain a skeletal force to accept applicants to the said program starting May 1, 2017 (Labor Day)," Mamondiong said in a memorandum he issued. 

Only 25 slots per course will be available. The application is on a first come, first serve basis. Those who will enroll as early as possible will be included in the first batch. 

Meanwhile, initial courses that will be offered by TESDA for the emergency skills training are: service engine mechanical components (12 days), carpentry (24 days), masonry (16 days), maintainance and repair of audio/video products and systems (30 days), and food processing by salting, curing and smoking (10 days). 

Cookery, welding, plumbing, electrical installation maintenance, bus or truck driving, visual arts, programming and other training programs will be offered as well. 

Aside from these, training for different languages will also be available: Japanese Language and Culture (150 hours), English Proficiency for Customer Service Workers (100 hours), Arabic Language and Saudi Gulf Culture (100 hours), Mandarin Chinese Language and Culture (100 hours), Spanish Language for different vocations (100 hours), and Italian Language and Culture (150 hours).

Mamondiong said that aside from the free tuition, the agency will also provide other forms of assistance such as free assessment and certification, free starter tool kits, transportation allowance and free food. —KG, GMA News