TESDA offers free competency assessment

CEBU, Philippines - Maintaining the Philippines’ edge as the top provider of quality seafarers in the world, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) announced its offering of free assessment and certification for mess-man and ship’s cook who have employment contracts and are about to leave the country.

Starting today, September 9, TESDA will conduct the free competency assessment, following the circular issued by secretary and director general Joel Villanueva.

In a statement, Villanueva said that TESDA will subsidize the cost of the assessment for Ships’ Catering Services NC I and Ships’ Catering Services NC II under the agency’s National Competency Assessment and Certification System (NATCAC).

"As the Philippines keeps its standing as one of the world's main source of seafarers, we want to make sure that competency of our workers is at the top of our agenda," Villanueva said.

TESDA has recently deployed new Training Regulations on Ships' Catering Services in compliance with the requirements of Regulation 3.2 of the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006, which came into force on August 20.

Graduates of the course who will undergo the assessment will be evaluated on practical cookery, food and personal hygiene, food storage, stock control, environmental protection and catering and health and safety.

To ensure the integrity of the assessment exercise, competency assessors will be assigned by the provincial or district directors on a rotation basis.  TESDA technical representatives will also be assigned to oversee the assessment.

The National Certificate of those who will pass will be issued within five working days from the date of assessment.

Requirements for the assessment can be downloaded from the TESDA website www.tesda.gov.ph.   (FREEMAN)