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TESDA face-to-face training, assessment in GCQ, MGCQ areas allowed
TESDA face-to-face training, assessment in GCQ, MGCQ areas allowed
By Dhel Nazario
Face-to-face training and assessment by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) bound for abroad are now allowed in General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine areas in the country.
According to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 78, Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) and TESDA Technology Institutions (TTIs) are now allowed to conduct face-to-face training and assessment in GCQ or other areas with lower community quarantine status for outbound OFWs as long as it complies with the TESDA guidelines and minimum public health standards.
The resolution allows the conduct of all training programs on domestic work and other Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) qualifications as may be allowed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and face-to-face competency assessment for qualifications on domestic work, caregiver, housekeeping, and ship catering; and such other TVET qualifications as may be allowed by the Department of Trade and Industry up to 50 percent assessment site capacity in compliance with the minimum public health standards, TESDA guidelines, and consultation with the local government units.
TESDA chief Isidro Lapeña had earlier requested through a letter to Health Secretary and IATF-EID chairman Francisco Duque that face-to-face assessment for outbound OFWs be allowed in GCQ areas especially in the National Capital Region (NCR) where most OFWs from the provinces stay to comply with their requirements before being deployed abroad.
Lapeña also recommended to the IATF-EID that accredited assessment centers only operate at a maximum 50 percent capacity of the assessment site; strict compliance with minimum public health standards and TESDA guidelines; and consultation with local government units should be observed on face-to-face assessment under GCQ.
The TESDA chief further stated that although virtual portfolio assessment is allowed under GCQ, some applicants do not meet the requirements under portfolio assessment which denies the applicants to be certified and be issued with the National Certificate (NC) from the agency.
Lapeña thanked the IATF-EID for granting his request, saying this is a very big help for the OFWs.
"This will definitely ease the burden of our OFWs who have been finding it hard to adjust in the restrictions of this pandemic. As for us in TESDA, we have been exerting our best efforts on how to best serve them during this time crisis. Prior to requesting the IATF to allow face-to-face training and assessment in GCQ areas, we have relaxed certain requirements for portfolio assessment to ensure those who urgently need assessment and certification will qualify. We know that they need to work abroad immediately so they can provide for their families. We thank the IATF-EID for this consideration," he said.