Manila: The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has been focusing on providing wider access to training and forging more industry collaborations this year, an executive said on Tuesday. During an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, TESDA Public Information Office executive director Joy Songsong expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for highlighting some of TESDA's initiatives in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, TESDA's efforts have resulted in increased employability of its graduates. Songsong noted that the agency continues to develop training regulations and ensures partnerships with industries to enhance the training standards. This year, TESDA is prioritizing digital transformation, wider access to training and assessment, and employment-driven Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses.
"The agency continues to push for clearer education and career pathways to make it easier for Filipinos to land a job or gain formal education by training and getting certifications first," Songsong said. Meanwhile, TESDA targets around 20,000 scholars nationwide for the academic year 2026-2027, aiming to prepare them for careers in industries such as information and communication technology (ICT), healthcare, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing.
Songsong highlighted TESDA's partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), which enables scholars to receive their allowances without maintaining a balance. This year, over 260,000 graduating learners are expected to receive TESDA National Certificate (NC) without having to pay an assessment fee, providing better job opportunities as these certificates serve as proof of their skills.
The agency has also partnered with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to strengthen skills development, assessment, certification, scholarship, and reintegration programs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Songsong emphasized that OFWs, displaced workers, unemployed individuals, and out-of-school youths are among TESDA's priorities.
