TESDA – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Purpose, Functions and Responsibilities

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is a government organization in the Philippines that provides free technical vocational education and training programs. Filipinos who wish to enhance their existing skills or learn new skills can get it from TESDA. The organization is also responsible for certifying the competency of workers in various industries

TESDA’s main goal is to provide quality technical education and training programs to Filipino citizens so they can be employed in various industries. The organization also aims to certify the competency of workers in different fields, thus helping them acquire better job opportunities.

Also Read: List of OWWA Scholarships and Education Training Programs

There are a number of TESDA schools and training centers all over the Philippines. The programs offered vary depending on the location, but most centers offer courses in information technology, welding, carpentry, and other technical skills.

Whether you’re looking for a new career or wanting to improve your current one, consider taking advantage of TESDA’s free technical education and training programs. With their help, you can reach your goals and build a better future for yourself and your family.

It’s important to have these opportunities available so that people can gain the skills they need to be successful in the workforce.

Overview

 The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was founded by President Fidel V. Ramos by signing Republic Act No. 7796, also known as the “Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994,” into law on August 25, 1994. This Act aims to stimulate and mobilize business, labor, local government entities, and technical-vocational institutions to fully participate in and mobilize in the development of the country’s human resources.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) was merged. TESDA was founded by the Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE) of the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) and the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

What is TESDA?

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) develops manpower and skills plans, establishes appropriate skills standards and tests, coordinates and monitors manpower policies and programs, and provides policy directions and guidelines for resource allocation for both private and public TVET institutions.

TESDA has grown into a responsive, effective, and efficient organization that provides a wide range of services to its clients. The TESDA Board has been designing policies and programs aimed at having the greatest impact on personnel development in diverse areas, industry sectors, and institutions in order to achieve its multi-pronged goal.

What are the Benefits of TESDA?

TESDA establishes and provide policies, promulgates applicable standards, and conducts programs aimed at ensuring the quality and accessibility of technical education, skills development, and certification.

Some of the benefits of learning in the TESDA Online Program are listed below.

• You can learn a variety of skills for no cost.
• You have the option of studying at your own pace.
• You can reduce your learning costs.
• You have the option of studying in a stress-free environment.
• Self-discipline can be improved.

Mandate

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is the government agency tasked to manage and supervise technical education and skills development (TESD) in the Philippines.

It was created by virtue of Republic Act 7796, otherwise known as the “Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994”. The said Act integrated the functions of the former National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC), the Bureau of Technical-Vocational Education of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (BTVE-DECS) and the Office of Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Vision

TESDA’s vision is to be the transformational leader in technical education to Filipino workforce.

“The transformational leader in the technical education and skills development of the Filipino workforce.”

Mission

TESDA’s mission for the coming years is to ensure technical education and skills development and certification system for the Filipino workforce.

“TESDA sets direction, promulgates relevant standards, and implements programs geared towards a quality-assured and inclusive technical education and skills development and certification system.”

Values Statement

TESDA’s value statement states that they believe in demonstrated competence, institutional integrity, personal commitment, culture of innovativeness and a deep sense of nationalism.

“We believe in demonstrated competence, institutional integrity, personal commitment, culture of innovativeness and a deep sense of nationalism.”

Quality Policy

“We measure our worth by the satisfaction of the customers we serve”

To achieve this, we commit to comply with applicable requirement and continually improve our systems and processes

Through:

• Strategic Decisions
• Effectiveness
• Responsiveness
• Value Added Performance
• Integrity
• Citizen focus
• Efficiency

TESDA is mandated to:

• Approve skills standards and tests;
• Assist trainers training programs;
• Develop an accreditation system for institutions involved in middle-level manpower development;
• Fund programs and projects for technical education and skills development;
• Integrate, coordinate and monitor skills development programs; and
• Restructure efforts to promote and develop middle-level manpower;.

At the same time, TESDA is expected to:

• Develop and administer training incentives;
• Devolve training functions to local governments;
• Formulate a skills development plan;
• Involve industry/employers in skills training;
• Manage skills development funds;
• Organize skills competitions; and
• Reform the apprenticeship program.

List of TESDA Programs and Services

Here’s a list of programs and services you can expect from the TESDA office:

Assessment and Certification

Through the Philippine TVET Competency Assessment and Certification System (PTCACS), TESDA aims to assess and certify the competencies of middle-level skilled professionals.

The purpose of the assessment is to see if the graduate or worker can perform to the standards expected in the workplace, depending on the competency standards that have been established.

Those who meet the competency requirements are awarded certification. This ensures middle-level workers’ productivity, quality, and global competitiveness.

Competency Standards Development

TESDA creates competency criteria for skilled professionals in the middle levels of their careers. These are descriptors for acceptable work performance in the form of competency units.

These are bundled into credentials that relate to important jobs and occupations in priority industry areas. In the Philippine TVET Qualifications Framework (PTQF), the qualifications correlate to certain levels.

National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2018-2022

The National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan 2018-2022, simplified NTESDP, serves as a compass for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) actors, movers, and leaders in developing responsive policies and implementing programs for the sector, as well as supporting the national government’s broader development goals and objectives.

The NTESDP envisions a vibrant, high-quality TVET system that leads to decent work and long-term inclusive growth. This overarching theme serves as a rallying cry for the TESDA and its partners as they work toward the NTESDP’s primary goal of galvanizing and strengthening the TVET sector through a Two-Pronged Strategic Thrust: (1) Global Competitiveness and Workforce Readiness; and (2) Social Equity for Workforce Inclusion and Poverty Reduction.

Program Registration and Accreditation

The mandatory registration of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs with TESDA is done through UTPRAS.

It is the system that ensures that Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) meet the minimum requirements set forth in the promulgated training regulation, which include, but are not limited to, curricular programs, faculty and staff qualifications, physical sites and facilities, tools, equipment, supplies and materials, and other requirements, prior to the issuance of government authority to offer or undertake technical vocational education programs.

Training Regulations

It is a TESDA-approved document that serves as the foundation for the development of a competency-based curriculum, instructional materials, and competency assessment systems. It specifies the requirements for obtaining, assessing, and recognizing a national qualification, as well as how such a qualification might be obtained, assessed, and recognized.

TVET Programs

TESDA continues to provide direct training provisions in order to ensure equal access and provision of TESDA programs to the rising TVET clients. School-based, center-based, enterprise-based, and community-based training are the four types of training available.

These are being carried out with the use of TESDA’s infrastructure, which includes 57 TESDA-administered schools, 60 training centers, enterprise-based training through DTS/apprenticeship, and community-based training aligned with the LGU’s.

Center-Based Programs

These refer to training provided by the TESDA Regional (15) and Provincial (45) Training Centers, which total 60 in specified trade areas across the country’s regions and provinces.

• TESDA Training Center Taguig Campus Enterprise (TTCTCE) – In response to the industry’s training needs, the TTCTCE organizes and advanced technology training programs registered under UTPRAS in conjunction with industry organizations under a co-management structure.

• Korea-Philippines Training Centers – The Korea-Philippines Information Technology Training Center (KPITTC) at the Quezon City Polytechnic University compound in Novaliches aspires to become the Asia-Pacific region’s premier information and communication technology training center by producing competent IT practitioners to meet local and global manpower needs. Computer graphics and animation will also be taught at KPITTC Quezon City.

Community-Based Programs

The Community-based Training for Enterprise Development Program is aimed largely at the poor and marginalized, as well as those who cannot or do not want to participate in formal training. They have restricted management abilities and economic options due to their lack of expertise.

They don’t have access to capital because they aren’t eligible for traditional credit programs. The curriculum goes beyond simply providing skills training. It is specifically designed to catalyze the formation of livelihood ventures that the participants would execute immediately following the training.

It is also aimed to aid partner agencies such as local governments, non-governmental organizations, people’s organizations, and other organizations with a mission to help the disadvantaged enter into productive endeavors to benefit themselves and their communities.

Enterprise Based Programs

Enterprise-based programs are training programs that are implemented within businesses or organizations.

• Apprenticeship Program – It is a training and employment program that entails a contract between an apprentice and an employer for a job that is considered apprenticeable. In general, it tries to offer a structure that ensures the availability of qualified trained personnel in accordance with industrial demands. Apprenticeships go for a minimum of four months and as long as six months. Apprentices can only be hired by companies that have TESDA-approved and registered apprenticeship programs.
• Dual Training System – It is a method of delivering technology-based education and training in which students alternate between learning at a school or training facility and learning in the workplace.
• Learnership Program – It is on-the-job training for recognized learnable jobs that lasts no longer than three months. Learners can only be hired by companies that have TESDA-approved and registered learnership programs.

School-Based Program

This refers to TESDA-administered schools directly delivering or providing TVET programs. Agricultural schools make up 19 of the 57 total. There are 7 fishing schools and 31 trade schools. These school-based programs include post-secondary options with durations ranging from one to three years.

The following are some of TESDA’s specialized training centers:

• Through training, entrepreneurship development, gender sensitive policies, initiatives, and projects, as well as research and advocacy, the TESDA Women’s Center (TWC) aims to improve women’s economic standing.
• The Language Skills Institute (LSI) is TESDA’s facility for language programs for workers planning to work in other countries. The LSI offers workplace communication training in the language of the worker’s destination country. There are 35 LSI locations across the country that provides a variety of language classes, including English, Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, and Spanish.

TESDA Online Programs

The TESDA Online Program (TOP) is a web-based platform that provides free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to Filipino employees as well as OFWs for technical education and skill development.

The TOP provides an effective and efficient means to deliver technical-vocational education and training at the learner’s own space and time through the use of information and communication technology.

The courses offered by TESDA are listed below:

• 21st Century Skills
• Agriculture
• Automotive And Land Transport
• Construction
• Electrical and Electronics
• Entrepreneurship
• FREE Courses Relevant to COVID-19 Management
• Gender and Development (GAD)
• Heating, Ventilating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Technology
• Human Health/ Health Care
• Information and Communication Technology
• International Labour Organization (ILO) Online Courses
• Lifelong Learning Skills
• Maritime
• National TVET Trainers Academy
• Process Food and Beverages
• Social, Community Development and Others
• Tourism
• TVET
• TESDA Capability Building Programs for TESDA Employees
• TOP Courses with Accessibility Features (Alpha Test)

Video: TESDA Online Program Free Skills Traiing

You may check out this video clip below which gives an outline insight on the TESDA online program – an online training platform where Filipinos can apply and enroll to enhance and learn new skills for jobs.

If you want to learn more, go to the TESDA Online Program YouTube channel and watch the video named TESDA Online Program: Libreng Skills Training mula sa TESDA).

Frequently Asked Questions

Please check out these answers to common questions about the TESDA office:

1. What is TESDA?

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) develops manpower and skills plans, establishes appropriate skills standards and tests, coordinates and monitors manpower policies and programs, and provides policy directions and guidelines for resource allocation for both private and public TVET institutions.

2. What are the benefits of TESDA?

TESDA establishes and provide policy, promulgates applicable standards, and conducts programs aimed at ensuring the quality and accessibility of technical education, skills development, and certification.

3. Who is qualified for TESDA?

Individual or OFW who is at least 18 years old, has completed high school, and has completed a pre-training evaluation (YP4SC/NCAE).

4. Is TESDA a free program?

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs are now available for free at all state-run technical-vocational institutions (STVIs).

5. How long is TESDA online courses?

There are more than 60 courses to pick from, with completion times ranging from 8 to 40 hours.

6. Is it possible for me to apply for several TESDA courses at the same time?

After completing one course, you can enroll in another.

7. Is there a connection between OWWA and TESDA?

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has announced that it will collaborate with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide skill training and technological education to returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

8. Is TESDA available to OFWs for free?

Returning Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can take advantage of free training offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) by registering online or through the agency’s mobile app.

9. Does TESDA give allowance?

Yes. According to the New Normal’s Scholarship Guidelines, all students, including those in the TWSP, would get a daily allowance of P160 called the Training Support Fund (TSF). TSF can be paid in a variety of ways, according to TESDA Circulars.

10. Is it possible for me to get a job after TESDA?

TESDA graduates with a National Certificate (NC) can now apply for work experience at local businesses. If they already have a lot of job experience, they can apply directly to POEA-accredited manpower companies that send skilled workers to other countries.

Summary

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is a government agency in the Philippines that develops manpower and skills plans, establishes appropriate skills standards and tests, coordinates and monitors manpower policies and programs, and provides policy directions and guidelines for resource allocation for both private and public TVET institutions.

Some of the benefits of TESDA include establishing and providing policy, promulgating applicable standards, conducting programs aimed at ensuring the quality and accessibility of technical education, skills development, and certification.

If you wish to further your education, why not sign up for these TESDA Online programs and courses? Choose from a wide variety of courses and get started on your new career today!

Contact Information

TESDA
Email: contactcenter@tesda.gov.ph
Telephone Number: 8887-7777
Website: https://www.tesda.gov.ph/, https://e-tesda.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TESDAOfficial