28 October 2015
It’s accessible, expanding and could be life-changing for Filipino skilled workers abroad.
The on-site assessment program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is attracting more and more overseas workers who take it to know if they possess the competencies required in a preferred work.
Since the program kicked off in November 2014 until October this year, a total of 512 overseas Filipino workers have been assessed and of which 385 have been certified in 12 qualifications or courses.
The assessment schedules are conducted in coordination with the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). They have been done in four countries so far, namely, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore and Qatar.
“The aim is to provide our workers with credentials for uncertified competencies they acquired from work,” Irene Isaac, TESDA officer-in-charge, said.
Prior to the conduct of skills assessment, TESDA has also been conducting profiling of OFWs, including overseas household service workers, in preparation for the assessment. Those who have related work experience and/or training are qualified to take the assessment. To date, it has processed the manpower profile forms of a total of 2,817 OFWs, more than half of which were workers based in Hong Kong.
The assessment and certification data since November 2014 are as follows: Hong Kong (108 certified of 132 assessed); Dubai (172 certified of 239 assessed); Singapore (78 certified of 114 assessed); and Qatar (27 certified of 27 assessed).
The workers took the assessment in the following qualifications: Food and Beverage Services NC II, Housekeeping NC II, Visual Graphic Design NC II, Technical Drafting NC II, Massage Therapy NC II, Pinoy Hilot (Wellness Massage) NC II, Beauty Care NC II, Nail Care NC II, Hairdressing NC II, Caregiving NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, and Cookery NC II.
The National Certificate (NC) is issued to a candidate who hurdled the competency assessment. Having a validity of five years, the NC is a valuable credential in applying for jobs, Isaac added.
TESDA is conducting capability building programs for prospective assessors such as in Dubai and Hong Kong. Four candidate assessors are already undergoing the accreditation process in Dubai. The POLO in Dubai is likewise in the process of being accredited as an assessment center.
TESDA is expanding its reach to help the OFWs who are around the world.
Share this page
