GIRL POWER: The TESDA Women’s Center allows women to be more adept in masculine courses such as Consumer Electronics Servcing that enables them to earn money from their own businesses.
TWC stands as a symbol of the Filipino women’s capability to engage in livelihood and wealth creation. It employs a three-pronged thrust of training, research & advocacy and gender & development to provide a holistic approach to women empowerment.
The TWC provides free competency-based training (CBT) courses from women in Automotive Servicing NC II, Commercial Cooking NC II, Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II, Dressmaking NC II, Food and Beverage Services NC II, Food Processing NC II, Housekeeping NC II, Pharmacy Services NC II, and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II.
The duration of training is from three to seven months, consisting of competencies that a person needs to achieve based on a given qualification in her chosen occupation.
The leaning process under CBT is modular, self-paced and based on standards specified by the industry. After completing the program, trainees are required to undergo national assessment and acquire certification in her chosen field of occupation.
Also integrated in the programs are basic computer literacy and empowerment courses such as gender sensitivity training, entrepreneurship development, and work ethics and values development.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) recently hailed TWC for its implementation of CBT programs for women.
RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY
Aside from improving training, TWC also formulates policies that will enhance the women’s socio-economic status. It conducts studies that are published, disseminated and made available to the public through the TWC information resource center.
A multi-sectoral policy-making body called the National Gender and Development Council (NGADC), formerly the Center Advisory Committee, crafts the necessary policies and sets the directions of TWC. The council is composed of representatives from the government and private sectors. Government representatives come from TESDA and National Commission on the Role of Women (NCRW). The private sector representatives include those from the agri-processing, labor, women NGO, business groups.
The TWC continually looks forward to working with public and private organizations and institutions in the Asia-Pacific Region for the improvement of the socio-economic status of women through training, entrepreneurship development, gender-sensitive policies, programs, and projects.
