TESDA-CAR to prioritize more migrant workers for skills training

LOAKAN, BAGUIO CITY—Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) –Cordillera will prioritize more migrant workers for skills training in line with the directive of Secretary Isidro Lapeña to provide skills training to displaced or distressed OFWs.

“OFWs are one of our special clients, we are getting in touch with them through our different operating units so they can avail of the services that are being offered such as skills training and scholarship programs,” said Engr. Manuel Wong, TESDA-CAR acting regional director on Friday.

He reiterated that not only the distressed and displaced OFWs will be given free skills training but also their dependents.

He explained that the beneficiaries are OFWs who came home as “distressed workers”- either affected by crisis in the foreign country where they were working or who encountered problems with their foreign employers.

“This move of the government aims to assist the OFWs in finding employment here and abroad,” Wong said.

In 2018, Wong said 350 OFWs were given free skills training: 65 in Abra, 27 in Apayao, 118 in Benguet, 46 in Ifugao, 40 in Kalinga and 62 in Mountain Province.

The skills training were Driving NC II, Integrated Farming, Fish Processing, Veggie Noodle Making, Cake Making, Carpentry NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Dressmaking NC II, Housekeeping NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, Cookery NC II, Events Management Services III, Technical Drafting NC II, Caregiving NC II, Automotive Servicing NC I, Automotive Servicing NC II, CNC Milling Machine Operation NC II.

For the period of January to May 2019, a total of 69 distressed OFWs were provided with skills training in the region.