TESDA thanks UK gov’t for support

November 17, 2022

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has expressed its deep gratitude to the United Kingdom (UK) government for supporting the programs and initiatives in strengthening the country’s technical vocational sector.

TESDA Director General Danilo P. Cruz thanked British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils for her support to TESDA and vowed to continue working with the British Embassy in pursuit of area-based and demand-driven TVET.

“We thank the British Embassy for their support to the Philippines, particularly TESDA, to make TVET relevant and accessible to Filipinos.  We will continue work with not just the British Embassy but other local and international partners in strengthening the tech-voc training of the country,” he said.

Last Oct. 24, TESDA Director General Danilo P. Cruz met with British Ambassador to the Philippines Beaufils at the TESDA Central Office in Taguig City where they discussed the partnership between two friendly countries, notably in tech-voc sector.

The two officials also discussed on how to advance cooperation in terms of its current priorities on technical vocational education and training (TVET) and skills development.

TESDA Chief shared updates on the implementation of the Skills for Prosperity Project (SfP) Philippines – a collaboration between the UK Government, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and TESDA.

The SfP targets the enhancement of the country’s capacity to increase inclusive, mutually beneficial economic development resulting from greater employability and productivity by enabling policies and practices that ensure cost-effectiveness, access, and sustained quality of TVET.

The meeting also focused on further collaboration between TESDA and the British Council on English language training.  

The British Ambassador likewise mentioned that her government is keen on exploring another MOU on standards mapping as well as on training and development initiatives in the railway-related sector, both of which TESDA has welcomed.

She also shared that an MOU has been forged between UK National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) and the Philippine Railways Institute, a rail transportation research and training center under the Department of Transportation (DOTr), to develop a highly-skilled, competent, and world-class rail workforce.

The TESDA Director General also invited the UK to participate in the open session on the 2nd Meeting of the ASEAN TVET Council (ATC), to share the UK’s interest and proposed areas of cooperation with the ATC. This meeting will discuss the follow-up actions taken since the 1st ATC meeting, the decisions of relevant ASEAN meetings, the ATC Work Plan, cooperation with external partners, and the handover of ATC Chairmanship.

Present during the meeting were Deputy Directors General Rosanna Urdaneta, Josefino Torres, and Tonisito Umali, and other TESDA, and British Embassy officials., (30)