June 11, 2021

Taguig City – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is set to expand its online training program to more Filipinos as part of its initiative for economic recovery post-pandemic.

This was after TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña and The Asia Foundation Deputy Country Representative in the Philippines Ethan Geary signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on June 8.

Under the MoA, TESDA and The Asia Foundation shall partner to bring the Go Digital ASEAN initiative’s free digital skills training to more Filipinos as part of ongoing economic recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some courses of Go Digital ASEAN such as “Digital Tools for Job Seekers”, “Harnessing Social Media to Expand your Business”, and “Getting your Business Online” will be integrated to TESDA Online Program (TOP).

According to the data released by E-TESDA, there are now 3,008,838 registered users in the TOP since its launching in 2012 up to May 2021.

The Go Digital ASEAN initiative supports jobseekers and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through online skills training. In particular, the trainings aim to close gaps in digital literacy skills necessary for navigating the online space and successfully

securing employment opportunities.

The program also equips MSMEs with skills to digitize their enterprise and harness social media to expand their markets and customer base.

Likewise, TESDA and The Asia Foundation shall collaborate for the conduct of Training of Trainers of TESDA Technology Institution (TTI) trainers and conduct regular consultations to address emerging needs and concerns of the industry.

This partnership was already established at the community level by Go Digital ASEAN implementing partner Pailig Development Foundation, Inc. with local TTIs such as Regional Training Center Iligan, Lanao Norte National Agro-Industrial School (LNNAIS), Salvador Trade School, Provincial Training Center – Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, and the Cagayan de Oro Bugo School of Arts and Trades in North Mindanao.

In his speech, Lapeña noted that through this partnership, TESDA will be able to reach more people, especially the disadvantaged and provide them opportunities to improve their lives.

Lapeña also said that adding the courses from The Asian Foundation’s’ Go Digital ASEAN program to TOP will help TTIs to provide value-adding skills for employment and livelihood, especially during the pandemic.

“Through this digital skilling program, we will be able to prepare our learners for the digital world, bridge the digital divide, and guide and equip our jobseekers with the tools and skills for e-commerce,” he said.

Meanwhile, for his part, Geary said that the partnership will help Filipinos increase their

employability and secure sustainable livelihood by actively and effectively participating in the digital economy.

“This partnership culminates and institutionalizes efforts from Go Digital ASEAN and the TESDA to ensure digital inclusion for all Filipinos,” he said.

Also present during the virtual MoA signing were TESDA Deputy Director General for Policies and Planning Rosanna Urdaneta and Go Digital ASEAN Special Projects Officer Patrick Bolaños. ###