October 25, 2024
Reinforcing its programs and services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) formalized a partnership to enhance OFWs’ and their dependents’ skills and employability.
Last October 15, TESDA Director General, Secretary Jose Francisco "Kiko" B. Benitez, and DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during a ceremony held at the TESDA Women's Center in Taguig City.
“This is the contribution of TESDA to equip Filipinos with the necessary skills and knowledge while they are still in the country, when already in their host country, and upon return to the Philippines,” Secretary Benitez said in his speech.
Under the agreement, TESDA shall conduct orientations on TESDA programs and services available for OFWs and their families; and, provide skills training, assessment, and certification to OFWs and their families endorsed by DMW based on the skills priorities.
TESDA shall also conduct language and culture training for the outbound OFWs; implement the Overseas Scholarship Program for OFWs while in their host country; conduct competency assessment for OFWs in the host country; and, conduct capability-building interventions for trainers and assessors endorsed by DMW.
For its part, the DMW shall advocate for training programs focused on upskilling, re-skilling, and cross-skilling, including Competency Assessment and Certification; and, identify, pre-evaluate, and recommend to TESDA eligible OFWs and their family members.
It shall also endorse to TESDA returning OFWs qualified to become trainers and/or assessors; identify, assess, and recommend technical vocational courses and training centers abroad that have the potential for conducting skills training programs; and, provide TESDA with labor market information.
“Let us continue working together to strengthen the competence of our OFWs, build a robust, agile, globally competitive, and world-ready, workforce, and improve the quality of life of the OFWs and their families,” the TESDA chief said.
Meanwhile, for his part, Secretary Cacdac emphasized that the partnership will facilitate the delivery of skills and livelihood training to OFWs and their families as instructed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos.
“Skills are the highest form of protection. The more skills equipped our workers are entering the host country, the better suited they are to integrate and protect themselves in the process,” Secretary Cacdac said.
Also, in attendance during the signing ceremony were TESDA Deputy Directors General Rosanna Urdaneta, Vidal Villanueva III, Nelly Nita Dillera, and Felizardo Colambo, along with DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Assistant Secretaries Francis Ron De Guzman and Venecio Legaspi.
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