TESDA trainers to undergo new assessment, certification standard

MANILA, Philippines - To provide better and efficient training to vocational students, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are requiring its own trainers to undergo assessment and certification.

TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva said they are undertaking assessment and certification of over 34,000 trainers in a bid to improve the teaching quality in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Villanueva said TESDA hopes to set a new standard for those who will teach technical vocational courses by requiring them to become holders of the National TVET Trainers Certificate (NTTC).

“Enhancing our present pool of trainers gives the students the best opportunity to learn and will help guarantee that we will produce quality graduates,” Villanueva pointed out.

Of the 34,007 TESDA trainers nationwide, Villanueva said, a total of 17,803 have already received the NTTC, while the balance of 16,204 trainers will still have to undergo the requirements.

The competency assessment is embodied in the Philippine TVET Trainers Qualification Systems (PTTQS) that provides for the recognition of the competence of TVET trainers at different roles and qualification levels.

“More and more, TESDA education is becoming relevant to a number of industry sectors such as the information technology-business process outsourcing industry, tourism, construction among others who source their manpower from our graduates. The upgrade of our trainers just complements the enhancing we are doing on our courses and available infrastructure,” he said

Applicants for NTTC, Villanueva said, would go through a panel of experts who will conduct the interview, evaluate the trainers’ demonstration of teaching skills, and assess their portfolio consisting of sample learning materials and teaching techniques.

 The certificate to be issued for qualified applicants is valid for five years. The assessment fee of P700 will be shouldered by TESDA from its Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) fund.

TESDA has extended the application period until Sept. 30 for trainers to apply for conversion of their Assessor Qualification/Trainer Qualification (AQ/TQ) certification issued in the past by the agency.

He said the trainers can go to the nearest TESDA provincial or district office to submit their application and documentary requirements.