May 06, 2026
Upskilling for emerging technologies is now within easier reach as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in partnership with STI College (STI), has officially launched its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness Training Program. This is set to expand access to future-ready skills and open new pathways to employment for Filipinos across the country.
TESDA Deputy Director General Galo Glino III, representing Secretary Kiko Benitez, led the kickoff ceremony at STI West Negros University in Bacolod City, highlighting the agency’s commitment to equip the workforce with competencies aligned with global industry demands.
The program supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of building a future-ready, digitally empowered Filipino workforce, one that can compete globally and benefit from the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez emphasized the importance of making advanced technologies accessible to ordinary Filipinos.
“Oras na para sumabay tayo sa AI dahil kung hindi, tayo rin ang mapag-iiwanan. Artificial Intelligence is here to stay, and this new training will open doors for Filipinos to participate in the digital economy and secure better futures for themselves and their families,” Sec. Benitez said.
“Working with STI, an established leader in ICT education, we are confident that this training will truly empower every Filipino worker in the realm of AI. Through STI’s nationwide network, we can roll out this program at scale and with speed, ensuring that more Filipinos can access quality AI training wherever they are,” added the Secretary.
In support of this goal, STI’s Vice-Chairman and CEO Atty. Monico V. Jacob highlighted the importance of readiness in the digital age, “We are proud to partner with TESDA in launching this AI readiness program, as we believe that success is where preparation meets opportunity. If you are prepared, you can seize every opportunity that comes your way. Our people are the country’s greatest asset, and we encourage everyone to continuously upskill, embrace lifelong learning, and remain relevant in this rapidly changing world.”
The initiative introduces specialized courses under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) including Data Collection and Annotation (Data Science/Artificial Intelligence) Level II, AI Prompting for Automation Level III, and Data Analytics Level III, designed to prepare learners for careers in the digital and AI-driven economy.
Further, the event also featured the Training Induction Program (TIP) for scholars, providing orientation on course expectations, training structure, and professional responsibilities to prepare them for successful completion.
A total of 50 scholars from Bacolod City participated in the initial training rollout, with 25 scholars enrolled in AI Prompting and another 25 in Data Collection and Annotation.
Overall, the AI training is expected to benefit a total of 3,273 learners nationwide from April to December 2026.
Training is open to Filipino citizens, who are at least 18 years old by the time they complete the training, have finished at least 10 years of basic education or hold an ALS Grade 10 certification, be physically and mentally fit, able to communicate in basic English (both spoken and written), and possess fundamental computer skills. TESDA, following its mandate, will prioritize applicants who are returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), displaced workers, unemployed individuals, and out-of-school youth.
AI training programs are available in Aklan, Bacolod, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Cebu, General Santos City, Isabela, Manila, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Laguna, Leyte, Las Piñas, Pampanga, Quirino, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Tarlac, and interested applicants are encouraged to coordinate with their nearest TESDA office as slots are limited.
STI College is the first major partner of TESDA in rolling out the AI Readiness Training Programs nationwide. The tech-voc agency is currently exploring collaboration with more partner institutions to further expand the program offerings.
“Sumabay sa AI” Libreng AI Training hatid ng TESDA at STI
Mas madali na ngayon mag-upskilling sa mga emerging technologies dahil sa pagtutulungan ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at STI College (STI) sa paglulunsad ng Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness Training Program. Layon nitong palawakin ang access sa mga future-ready skills at buksan ang mas maraming trabaho para sa mga FIlipino sa buong bansa.
Pinangunahan ni TESDA Deputy DIrector General Galo Glino III, kumatawan kay Secretary Kiko Benitez, ang launching ceremony sa STI West Negros University, Bacolod City, bilang bahagi ng naisin ng ahensya na magkaloob ng mga pagsasanay sa manggagawang FIlipino na nakahanay sa pandaigdigang pangangailangan ng mga industriya.
Ang programa ay alinsunod sa pangarap ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. na bumuo ng future-ready at digitally-empowered na manggagawang Filipino na kayang makipagsabayan sa buong mundo at handa para sa Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Binigyang-diin ni Secretary Kiko Benitez ang kahalagahan ng pagtiyak na may access ang ordinaryong FIlipino sa makabagong teknolohiya.
“Oras na para sumabay tayo sa AI dahil kung hindi, tayo rin ang mapag-iiwanan. Through this new training, we are opening doors for our learners to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and secure better futures for themselves and their families,” ayon kay Sec Benitez. “Artificial intelligence must be a tool that empowers every FIlipino worker.”
Ang inisyatibo ay magbibigay-daan sa mga specialized courses sa ilalim ng Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) kabilang na ang Data Collection and Annotation (Data Science/Artificial Intelligence) Level II, AI Prompting for Automation Level III, at Data Analytics Level III, na dinesenyo para sa mga career sa digital and AI driven economy.
Isinagawa rin ang Training Induction Program (TIP) para sa mga iskolar na nagbibigay oryentasyon sa mga dapat asahan sa training, training structure at professional responsibilities upang matagumpay na matapos ang training.
Kabuuang 50 iskolar mula sa Bacolod CIty ang kalahok sa inisyal na training, 25 ang iskolar sa AI Prompting at 25 Namen sa Data Collection and Annotation.
Inaasahang 3,273 iskolar ang magbebenepisyo sa buong bansa mula Abril hanggang Disyembre 2026.
Ang programa ay bukas sa mga FIlipino citizens, at least 18 years old sa panahon ng pagkumpleto sa training, naka kumpleto ng 10 taon ng basic education o nagtataglay ng ALS Grade 10 certification, physically and mentally fit, kayang makipag-talastasan sa basic English (pagsasalita at pagsusulat) at nagtataglay ng basic computer skills. Bilang pagsunod sa mandato ng TESDA, bibigyang prayoridad ang mga aplikanteng returning Overseas FIlipino Workers (OFWs), displaced workers, unemployed at mga out-of-school youth.
Ang AI programs ay ipapatupad sa Aklan, Bacolod, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Cebu, General Santos City, Isabela, Manila, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Laguna, Leyte, Las Pinas, Pampanga, Quirino, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat at Tarlac. Ang mga interesadong aplikante ay pinapayuhang makipag-ugnayan sa malapit na TESDA office sa kanilang lugar dahil limitado lamang ang available slots.
Ang AI Readiness Training Programs ay isinasagawa sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga nangungunang educational institution tulad ng STI College, AMA Education System at iba pang partner institutions sa buong bansa.
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