5,310 skilled workers join TESDA’s pool of specialists

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) disclosed it has already certified more than 5,310 skilled workers, trainers, graduates and students during the first three weeks of the second run of the National Technical-Vocational Education and Training Competency Assessment and Certification (NATCAC).

Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director-General, admitted more than 5,310 applicants out of 6,447 entries were certified by the agency.

According to Villanueva, the rapidly increasing number of individuals who receive the required certifications pursuant to their skills tells us that the national technical-vocational education and training competency assessment and certification are on the right track in achieving its targets, particularly the provision of appropriate skills to deserving individuals in order for them to land in descent jobs locally and even abroad.

The highest certification rates of the agency were recorded in Region V or the Bicol Region, Region VII or the Central Visayas Region, Region VIII or Western Visayas and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Villanueva disclosed that over 90 percent of those assessed by the agency were successfully certified as skilled laborers and ready for challenging local ands overseas jobs.

The certified skilled workers came from the agriculture and fishery, automotive and land transport, and construction circles, under which are classified such classifications as agricultural and crop production, animal production, aquaculture, horticulture, auto servicing, motorcycle and small engine servicing and driving.

Aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and employability of workers, NATCAC is a synchronized conduct of competency assessment and certification in identified key qualifications that are hard to find but with high industry demand. It is available to workers, practitioners, trainers, overseas Filipino workers and graduating students who want to be certified in their respective fields and that the same is conducted free of charge for the benefit of deserving skilled Filipino workers.

Villanueva asserted that during these days when prices of oil and basic commodities are soaring and companies are downgrading, the agency is very much willing to help and equip Filipinos with the necessary knowledge and skills to survive.

Considering the growing demand for skilled and competent laborers in the global arena, the TESDA official claimed the agency will continue to enhance the expansion of the assessment and certification program to the rural areas where more skilled individuals are expected to be certified and will be able to land in high paying jobs in the different parts of the global village and will surely help uplift their families and move them out from the shackles of poverty.

Villanueva said certified skilled workers are far earning more than the individuals employed in white collar jobs, thus, there should be no discrimination in the selection of employment opportunities since what matters now is that the individuals will be able to improve the living condition of their families so that they will be instrumental in improving the economic condition of the places where they come from and the country as well.