TESDA reports most OFWs assisted come from ME

October 17, 2018

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were assisted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) OFW Desks installed at international airports mostly came from countries in the Middle East.

According to TESDA Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Linkages Rebecca J. Calzado, of the total 1,478 OFWs who have so far been given assistance by the TESDA OFWs’ Desks, 332 had arrived from the Middle East.

This was based on accomplishment reports on TESDA OFWs’ Desk (TOD) from different regions in the country.

Earlier, TESDA ordered the deployment of TODs at the Clark International Airport (CIA), Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA, Terminals 1, 2 & 3), Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and Davao-Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DFBIA) as complimentary intervention of the agency in support of the reintegration program of the government for OFWs.

The order was issued on April 24, 2018 while the program was launched in the middle of May this year, added Calzado.

Of the total number, 1,377 requests for assistance were recorded at the NAIA 1 and 3, while 101 at the MCIA.  No requests for assistance were reported by the TESDA OFWs’ Desks at the DFBIA and CIA.

The OFWs who were given assistance came from 33 countries, most of them from 7 countries in the Middle East, namely Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates (UEA).

At least 685 OFWs sought referrals for skills training; 675 others were given school and assessment center address, school courses, etc.; 12, referrals for assessment; 5, renewal of National Certificate (NC) and Certificate of Competency (COC) and another for Certification of Authentication (CAV).

Of the OFWs served, 854 were women and 624 were men.

The top 5 skills training preferences of OFWs belong to the sectors of Tourism, General Infrastructure, Land Transportation, Metals and Engineering at Information and Communication Technology.

Other preferred courses are Automotive, Health Care Services, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC), Language and Culture, Processed Food and Beverages and Semi-Conductor and Electronics.)

Those who prefer to undergo skills training are referred to the respective TESDA Regional Offices which cover the areas where the OFWs live.

They were given Certificates of Scholarship Commitment which entitle them to be trained under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) and Special Training for Employment Program (STEP). Scholarship benefits under the TWSP include free skills training and assessment, whereas under the STEP, there are free skills training, assessment, entrepreneurship training, starter tool kits and allowances.