TESDA aims to maintain service despite P93M budget cut

CEBU, Philippines - Despite a budget cut of at least P93 million, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority still hopes to provide as many as 1.3 million individuals with various technical vocational and education training and training-related services next year.

Malacañang proposed a P2.725-billion budget for the agency next year, which is about P93 million less than what was appropriated for 2011. Of the P2.725-billion budget for 2012, P1.202 billion is allocated for personnel services, P1.523 billion is allocated for programs (including scholarship funds), and P20 million for capital outlay.

For 2012, TESDA then would focus on competency assessment and certification, development promotion, and implementation of new skills development programs, upgrading and enhancement of trainer competencies.

Meanwhile, TESDA-VII is currently conducting a three-month National Technical Vocational Education and Training Competency Assessment and Certification (NATCAC) in selected regional and provincial training centers and private training institutions for free.

NATCAC is a synchronized nationwide conduct of competency assessment and certification that aims to promote industry acceptance and recognition of the value of certification in assuring the competencies of workers.

The national synchronized competency assessment and certification was completed from August 22 to 26 for automotive skills on Automotive Serving NC II, Automotive Servicing NC III and motorcycle/small engine servicing NC II.

Assessment of construction skills will be done from September 12 to 16 for Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II and III; Masonry NC III; Plumbing NC III; Carpentry NC III; and Construction Painting NC III.

Information and Communication Technology will be the focus from September 26 to 30 for skills on Visual Graphics NC III; 2D Animation NC III; 3D Animation NC III; Medical Transcription NC III; Computer Hardware Servicing NC II; and Programming NC IV.

Meanwhile, tourism will be the focus from October 10 to 14 for skills on Food and Beverage Services NC II and III; Food and Beverage Services NC III; Commercial Cooking NC II and III; Bread and Pastry Production NC II; Housekeeping NC II; and Events Management Services NC III.

TESDA also scheduled assessment on electronics and garments from October 24 to 28 for skills on Mechatronics NC II and III; Instrumentation NC II and III; Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II; Consumer Electronics Servicing NC III; and Dressmaking NC II and Tailoring NC II respectively.

Those with skills on metals and engineering may be assessed from November 14 to 18 for SMAW NC II and III; Machining NC II and III; CNC Lathe Machine Operation NC II; GMAW NC II and III; GTAW NC II and III same with the HVAC and HSCDSO with qualification of RAC Servicing NC II; Transport RAC Servicing NC II and Bookkeeping NC III, respectively. – (FREEMAN)