TESDA earmarks P5M for language upgrade of OFWs
15 July 2011
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is setting aside an initial amount of P5 million from its scholarship fund for language review classes of returning Filipino workers to be displaced by the Saudization program.
TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said the review classes will be offered to OFWs for free to open up fresh opportunities for employment.
"It is hoped that through this assistance, TESDA is able to contribute in the government's collaborative effort in reducing the negative effects of Saudization," Villanueva said.
The classes are open to OFWs interested in working in Australia and Canada, which Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz earlier identified as possible countries that may absorb the Filipinos to be affected by Saudization.
However, prior to issuance of working visa, both countries requires proficiency in English as a Second Language (ESL) in certain occupations/work-related language, in addition to each country – specific requirements for skills certification.
An initial 1,000 slots will be allotted for the workers to allow them to undertake review classes under the International English Language Test System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which are among the acceptable English language test requirements in those two countries.
TESDA will give full subsidy of P5,000 to each trainee for the language review, according to Villanueva.
"We don't want the impact of Saudization blowing up our face. Before it can be totally felt, we want to have measures in place to ease its impact on our OFWs and give them hope for new jobs," Villanueva said.
The P5 million fund will be sourced from the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), one of TESDA's main scholarship programs.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) will come up with the criteria for selecting the OFWs eligible to avail of the assistance.
They will also issue certification as proof that the OFW is entitled to receive the assistance.
A pre-assessment process such as on-line assessment guide for IELTS prior to availing of the TESDA assistance is also being considered to maximize resources.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requires an overseas employee to demonstrate an adequate level of English proficiency by taking among others the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.
Meanwhile, the Citizenship Immigration Canada (CIC) requires that application for working in Canada be accompanied by the assessment results of the applicant’s English language proficiency.
The assessment standards for English language is governed and maintained by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB) based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks for use in adult ESL (English as Second Language), education, training and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada.
Concerned government agencies, including DOLE and TESDA, have started working on measures to aid the workers who are bound to lose their jobs once this Saudization comes in full swing.
More than a million Filipinos work in Saudi Arabia as household service workers, nurses, construction workers, doctors and as other professionals.
“We cannot let our OFWs down especially in these trying times. The review classes to be provided by TESDA will arm them with enhanced skills that can be their ticket to new employment. Elsewhere, other than Saudi Arabia, employers are always on the lookout for excellent Filipino workers,” Villanueva said.
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