The present and future of workplace values, skills, and competencies: theoretical learning means little to nothing if the student cannot demonstrate they have learned. Besides, specialized technical skills and knowledge have become the need of the hour due to the emerging industries, job market evolution, and global competitiveness.
That is where TESDA continues to play an integral role in transforming the country’s workforce by inculcating individuals with in-demand skills and knowledge.
Understanding TESDA
TESDA, or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, is a prominent government agency of the Philippines that manages and supervises technical education and skills in the country. The Republic Act No. 7796, which is also known as the TESDA Act, led to the creation of the agency.
TESDA functions under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and often collaborates with different stakeholders, including local government units, educational institutions, industries, and other government agencies.
The agency works to provide direction and establish policies and programs that improve the accessibility and quality of technical-vocational education and training in the country.
Vision and Mission
TESDA envisions itself as continuing to be the leading agency for regulating technical education and skills development in the Philippines. Moreover, its core mission is to establish clear standards and direction while implementing specific programs towards high-quality and inclusive technical education and skills development and certification systems.
Critical Functions of TESDA
Policy and Standards Setting
TESDA is the authoritative body responsible for developing and implementing national policies, programs, and plans concerning technical education and skill development in the Philippines. It carries out continuous research, consults with several stakeholders, including industry partners, academics, and experts, and analyzes labor market trends.
These measures enable the agency to make sure that the TVET initiatives align with both current and future economic requirements. They strive to create a strategic and unified framework for skills enhancement that ultimately caters to the country’s socio-economic objectives.
Apart from policy formulation, TESDA also establishes and approves national skills standards and tests for several occupations. These standards act as benchmarks for competence, which ensures that trained and certified individuals meet a certain proficiency level across several industries.
Program Registration and Accreditation
All public and private institutions that want to offer technical-vocational courses need to go through the rigorous program registration and accreditation processes. The TESDA accreditation process involves an intensive review process, wherein the applicant institute must meet the minimum prescribed requirements for tools, facilities, equipment, curriculum, and faculty and staff qualifications.
Furthermore, the UTPRAS (Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System) is an effective mechanism that ensures that training providers maintain quality parameters. In effect, this prevents substandard training and assures employers that graduates of TESDA-registered programs have the necessary skills and knowledge.
Competency Assessment and Certification
One of the most notable functions of the TESDA is that it provides a system for assessing and certifying the competencies of individuals. Students can undergo assessment with the help of the TVET Competency Assessment and Certification System (PTCACS).
The assessment helps students determine whether or not they meet the set standards for particular occupations. Hence, the assessment focuses on more than academic knowledge by prioritizing attitudes, practical skills, and work values.
When a student completes a TESDA assessment successfully, they get a National Certificate (NC) or a Certificate of Competency (COC). A National Certificate indicates competence across all units of a full qualification, while a COC signifies competence in a specific or a cluster of units.
These are nationally and internationally recognized certifications; therefore, they increase the chances of employment and career mobility of certified workers.
Direct Training Provision
Although TESDA primarily functions as a regulatory and standard-setting organization, it also directly provides technical and vocational training. The agency’s network of regional and provincial training centers and technology institutions provides diverse training modalities, helping to meet various learning needs and circumstances.
Some of the direct training provisions are school-based programs (formal TVET of varying durations) and center-based training, which includes short-duration, non-formal programs at TESDA centers.
Additionally, it includes community-based training that has been designed to meet particular skill requirements in local communities, leading to self-employment. Enterprise-based training allows students to get practical job experience through apprenticeships and leadership programs. These direct training provisions are instrumental in ensuring TVET accessibility, especially for students with specific learning preferences and those who are from underserved areas.
Scholarship Programs
Financial constraints prevent many students from pursuing higher education or vocational courses; hence, they discontinue their education to start working early on. TESDA’s scholarship proves to be particularly helpful for Filipinos, especially those from the marginalized sectors.
These scholarships address education accessibility and equity by ensuring that the lack of financial resources does not prevent individuals from learning new skills. For example, the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA), and Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) are specific programs through which TESDA invests in human capital development and upskilling.
Industry and Employer Involvement
One of the central tenets of TESDA’s strategy is the active engagement of employers and industries in the TVET ecosystem. The agency recognizes that the training program’s effectiveness and relevance rely on the actual needs of the labor market.
Hence, it collaborates with industry boards and associations to design, develop, and implement TVET programs. As a result, the competency standards are according to the industry demands, which leads to updated curricula and graduates acquiring relevant skills.
Partnerships and institutional arrangements are key to providing enterprise-based training opportunities like apprenticeships and learnerships.
Manpower and Skills Planning
TESDA gives equal emphasis to comprehensive manpower and skill planning to determine future labor market needs and align TVET provision accordingly. Therefore, the agency carries out extensive research and analysis of technological advancements, economic trends, and emerging industries. Consequently, it can identify skill gaps and determine future demand for specific occupations.
The agency develops national technical education and skills development plans, creating a roadmap for the TVET sector. This is a crucial move that helps to upskill the Filipino workforce, ensuring that they meet the evolving demands of the global economy.
Trainer Support
The effectiveness of TVET programs relies on trainers’ capability and competence; that is why TESDA invests in creating and supporting training programs, especially for TVET trainers and assessors.
These training programs are designed to improve the trainer’s technical expertise, pedagogical skills, and ability to deliver competency-based training effectively. For instance, the Trainer’s Methodology (TM) curriculum certifies trainers concerning designing, developing, and delivering training programs and conducting assessments.
As a result, the agency succeeds at facilitating highly qualified trainers and assessors, leading to the maintenance of quality standards of TVET instruction and assessment.
Impact of TESDA
Improved Employability
TESDA equips Filipinos with industry-relevant technical skills and provides internationally recognized certifications, improving the employability of individuals. In effect, graduates possess the skills and competencies that help them access job opportunities within the Philippines and in the global labor market.
Poverty Reduction
Increased accessibility to quality technical and vocational education allows individuals to improve their aptitude and knowledge. Hence, they succeed at securing better jobs, thereby improving their economic status and creating better financial stability for families and communities.
Economic Development
TESDA directly contributes to the Philippines’ economic growth by continuously upgrading the skills of the workforce and determining industry demands. As a result, it ensures that employers and organizations get access to a competent labor force that can impact productivity, innovation, and overall economic expansion.
Empowered Individuals
TVET programs inculcate skills and knowledge in individuals, making them not just job-ready but also self-reliant. They can decide whether they want to pursue a job in their preferred fields or start their own business, which promotes trust and accomplishment.