06 August 2014
Filipinos returning to the country to escape the conflict situation in Libya and other strife-torn areas can look forward to the technical-vocational training being offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The training will upgrade their skills or give them new expertise to help them reintegrate in the local economy or boost their chances of finding work in a new foreign country.
"The apprehension of our overseas Filipino workers that are coming home is tantamount to losing their jobs is very real and understandable. But recent events have shown that the threat to safety and lives of Filipinos in Libya has become even greater," TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said.
"It now becomes more and more urgent that Filipinos in Libya avail of voluntary repatriation as soon as possible. No job is worth one's life," Villanueva added.
According to the TESDA chief, the government has laid out measures so that returning workers do not face a bleak future in the country.
From TESDA's end, training programs are available throughout the year on various courses that have the most demand among industries.
Among the courses offered by the agency and its network of public and private institutions are those in priority sectors such as construction, food and beverage, information and communication technology, automotive, metals and engineering, tourism, agriculture and fishery, and many others.
The returning OFWs may go to the TESDA's provincial, district or regional offices, of any technical vocational institutions with TESDA-registered programsand inquire on the training available and their schedules. They may also availl of free training under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) and the Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) of the agency.
Assistance from TESDA does not end with the trainee's graduation. It also offers competency assessment, which will determine if the graduate is already competent and can be issued a National Certificate. TESDA also holds jobs bridging events that link certified graduates with potential employers.
Villanueva said that through the years, tech-voc graduates have become among the sought-after employees in certain industries locally and abroad.
"Based on our data, six out of 10 graduates who availed of the scholarship (TWSP) got employed within six months to one year after training," he said.
TESDA also partners with various private companies and industry associations to ensure wider reach in the implementation of its scholarship programs.
Aside from being employed in companies, TESDA graduates can also opt to become self employed by setting up their own small business. TESDA also provides training on entrepreneurship so that those wanting to engage in business could be assisted.
"If a person is skilled, it is easy for him/her to get employed either in a company or be the manager of his own business," Villanueva said.
"TESDA is here to assist the returning OFWs. There's better life after their stint abroad," the TESDA chief added.
Share this page
