TESDA assures strengthened TVET, bares 2023 accomplishments

 

Expect even higher quality and more relevant technical vocational education and training for 2024 as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) continues to improve and strengthen its programs and services.

 

In June 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed former local government executive and legislator Suharto T. Mangudadatu as the Agency's 14th Director General. Following this, the Agency launched its new guiding principle, "Sa TESDA, Lingap Ay Maaasahan", to demonstrate TESDA's stronger advocacy to provide Filipinos with better access to quality-assured and globally competitive technical vocational education and training (TVET) aligned with the administration's brand of governance and leadership, "Bagong Pilipinas".

 

"TESDA shall expand the role of TVET at all fronts and be a catalyst for creating jobs and community enterprises and empowering individuals and improving their quality of life," promised Secretary Suharto T. Mangudadatu during an event late last year.

 

 

10-Point Priority Agenda

 

Secretary Mangudadatu presented his 10-point priority agenda immediately upon his assumption as TESDA's lead. These included such programs as: TESDA sa Barangay, Review of TESDA Training Regulations, Prioritize the Marginalized Sectors by Providing Training Programs to Address Skills Mismatch and Meet the Demands of the Industry, Continuous Monitoring of Training Program Implementation of Schools to Ensure Compliance with TESDA's Policies and Guidelines, Enhanced Online Application, Promotion of Rural Enterprises and Area Development through TVET Programs, Youthpreneurship, TESDA Industry Exchange Program, Halal TVET, and Strengthening and Regeneration of the Internal Structure of the Agency.

 

The flagship program "TESDA Sa Barangay" institutionalizes the provision of training programs at the barangay level to benefit more Filipinos.

 

"Under the TESDA sa Barangay, we are strengthening the implementation of our area-based, demand-driven TVET central strategy, and further encouraging our local government units to invest more aggressively in TVET," said Secretary Mangudadatu.

 

In July last year, TESDA also conducted a forum and consultation for the Halal industry aiming to integrate Halal in tech-voc training. The hybrid forum is part of the Agency's efforts to determine the skills requirements of the industry and ensure the formulation of responsive, demand-driven policies and programs.

 

 

Increased TVET output

 

As of writing, TESDA reported that some 1,414,267 enrolled in various tech-voc courses of which 1,222,330 have already graduated. 

 

Likewise, the average certification rate for the year remains high at 93.2% where 872,016 out of 935,978 were certified as skilled workers in their respective qualifications.

 

Meanwhile, to date, TESDA has developed a total of 316 Training Regulations and 74 Competency Standards, while 570 Diploma Programs have also been recognized as part of its continued efforts to provide higher-level qualifications.

 

 

Industry 4.0-ready TVET graduates

 

Last August, TESDA launched the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2023-2028 with the theme, "MaGaling at MakaBagong TVET para sa Bagong Pilipinas: TVET as Pathway to Recovery and Social-Economic Transformation". The Plan embodies the government's commitment to a more inclusive and proactive approach to nurturing a globally competitive workforce while driving economic growth through continuous skilling, reskilling, and upskilling within the framework of lifelong learning.

 

"The NTESDP 2023-2028 captures the government's more inclusive and aggressive approach in creating a globally competitive workforce and fostering economic growth through continuous skilling, reskilling, and upskilling in the context of lifelong learning," Secretary Mangudadatu said.

 

As part of TESDA's innovation ecosystem, more TVET innovation centers are expected to be built in the country to offer industry-responsive and higher-level TVET programs. This is being done through the Supporting Innovation in the Philippine Technical and Vocational Education and Training System (SIPTVETS) Project with the Asian Development Bank.

 

Yet another proof of TESDA's pursuit of innovation and excellence in TVET is the adoption of the extended reality (XR) technology in the implementation of training and assessment. Private companies such as First Balfour, Inc., FELTA Academy, Hytec Power Inc., Lincoln Electric, and TESDA's Regional Training Center – NCR are a few of the early adaptors of XR technology in TVET.

 

 

Leveling PH TVET with international standards

 

In 2023, members of the Philippine delegation bagged a total of 2 silver medals and 5 Medallions for Excellence during the 13th WorldSkills ASEAN Competition in Singapore, and the 2nd WorldSkills Asia Competition in Abu Dhabi.

 

During the closing ceremonies in Singapore, TESDA received the ASEAN WorldSkills flag from the Chairman of the WorldSkills Singapore Council, officially signaling the Philippines' hosting of the international skills competition in 2025.

 

Meanwhile, the TESDA Women's Center in Taguig City, one of the Agency's specialized training centers, became the first institution in the country to be awarded the Platinum Award by the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission.

 

Further, to explore possible collaborations and ensure that Philippine TVET remains at par with international standards, Secretary Mangudadatu has been meeting with representatives from different foreign embassies and organizations here and abroad.

 

Strengthened public and private partnerships

 

To reinforce the country's TVET sector, TESDA also entered into various partnerships with local and international stakeholders in 2023.

 

TESDA formalized its partnerships and signed Memoranda of Agreement with other government agencies such as the Clark Development Corporation, Department of Tourism, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard, National Commission on Indigenous People, Department of Justice Parole and Probation Administration, and National Housing Authority, among others.

 

The Agency also signed agreements with the San Miguel Corporation, Nestle Philippines, People Management Association of the Philippines, Coca-Cola Philippines, and Microsoft Philippines among others.

 

Further, TESDA has been entering into agreements with industry associations for the establishment of industry boards. Last year, TESDA partnered with the Philippine Constructors Association, Inc., the Tourism Industry Board Foundation, Inc., the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc., and Philippine Cacao Industry Association.

 

 

Highest approval and trust ratings among gov't agencies

 

TESDA closed 2023 with the highest approval and trust ratings among Philippine government agencies, besting the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Science and Technology, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, according to Publicus Asia's Pahayag Survey. The Agency has held both top approval and trust positions for 5 straight quarters since 2022.