By Genalyn Kabiling
The government has approved a blueprint to strengthen its programs on technical education and skills development to improve the competitiveness of the Filipino workforce in the next four years.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
President Duterte has issued Executive Order No. 83 approving and adopting the National Technical Education and Skills Development Program (NTESDP) 2018-2022.
The order lays out a "Vibrant Quality Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) for Decent Employment and Sustainable Inclusive Growth." It seeks "to mobilize, galvanize and strengthen the TVET sector to attain global competitiveness and workforce readiness as well as social equity for workforce inclusion and poverty reduction," the EO added.
The NTESDP will “serve as a blueprint of the TVET sector in coming up with responsive policies and implementing programs in support of the broader goals and objectives of the National Government,” the order read.
In EO 83, the President has called on government agencies, local government units, and the private sector to adopt, disseminate and support the implementation of the NTESDP and to develop their own TVET programs.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has also been directed to ensure all skills development programs conform with the quantitative and qualitative objectives of the program as well as skills training and development are aligned with the Philippine Qualifications Framework and other national standards.
TESDA will monitor the implementation of the NTESDP and conduct periodic review to evaluate its efficiency. It must also submit semi-annual reports to the Office of the President on the implementation of the program.
Funds for the NTESDP will come from the budget of TESDA and other concerned agencies.
The order, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea last June 17, takes effect immediately. The order was released to the public Thursday.