Director General, Secretary Guiling “Gene” A. Mamondiong, convened TESDA’s top executives, including its Deputy Directors General, executive and regional directors, to discuss the annual targets for the Agency’s programs and services at the TESDA Women’s Center in Taguig City on Tuesday, April 4.

More than 1.1 million technical vocational education and training (TVET) graduates are expected to be produced this year in institution-based training programs alone.  TESDA is also aiming for an employment rate of about 65% for all TVET graduates and a certification rate of about 85%.

During the opening of the National Directorate Conference, Sec. Mamondiong reiterated the present administration’s strict anti-corruption principles and his intention to follow these to the letter.

“As public servants, our actions are constantly under scrutiny so we have to be very careful in everything that we do,” added the TESDA Chief.

He also emphasized to the regional directors the need to fast track the distribution of scholarship grants and tool kits to their respective beneficiaries as well as to further reduce red tape in all TESDA operations and processes.

In her message, Deputy Director General for Policies and Planning Rosanna A. Urdaneta welcomed the newly appointed regional directors and assured them of the Agency’s support.  DDG Urdaneta discussed as well the progress on the work being done on the development of diploma and higher technical education and skills development (TESD) courses.

Deputy Director General for Communities and Local Government Unit Services, Atty. Diosdado O. Padilla, discussed how the new tendering system for TESDA’s scholarship program has helped to ensure against corruption and favoritism.  He also urged the regional directors to give even more attention to online scholarship applicants.

Rebecca J. Calzado, Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Linkages, provided updates on efforts to establish better coordination with other agencies, organizations and institutions to provide improved and specific training services to such groups as indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and overseas Filipino workers.

Finally, Deputy Director General for TESD Operations, Alvin S. Feliciano informed the congregation of the preparations being done for the conduct of skills competitions and the country’s imminent participation to the World Skills Competition.  DDG Feliciano also mentioned the continuous provision of training programs for drug surrenderers and inmates, and plans for better integration of these programs with their rehabilitation.

In the afternoon, the National Directorate further discussed the deliverables and the training targets under TESDA’s 17-point Reform and Development Agenda.

On Monday, April 3 prior to the day’s session, the TESDA executives were at the Villar SIPAG Foundation Hall in Las Piñas City to attend the Convention on Provision of Special Technical Assistance for Program on Accelerating Farm School Establishment (PAFSE), a convergence project of TESDA, Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Tourism and the Office of Sen. Cynthia Villar.