TESDA plans to introduce highly skilled training programs to meet changing demands
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is planning to launch highly skilled training courses to cater to the evolving demands of industries.

In a televised public briefing on Thursday, Aug. 17, TESDA Deputy Director General Aniceto Bertiz III cited the agency's strategic initiatives that aim to introduce highly skilled training courses to ensure the competency of graduates on an international scale.
Bertiz explained that TESDA has been working with various organizations and industries to identify existing skill shortages in the industry, allowing Filipinos to be adaptable to changing industry demand.
He pointed out that TESDA is prioritizing emerging areas, such as the digital revolution by offering advanced courses in cybersecurity, mechatronics, electronics, robotics, smart healthcare, and industrial automation.
Bertiz went on to say that TESDA is expanding its programs beyond apprenticeships to include supervising industry learning.
This means that TESDA program graduates will have opportunities for apprenticeships in partner industries, with a smooth transition from education to practical experience.
“Kaya nga last survey on the employability of the graduate. Nasa almost eight out of 10 ay nakahanap ng trabaho or 87.7 percent niyan ay nagkaroon ng trabaho hindi lamang dito kundi pati na rin sa ibang bansa, (That's why the last survey on the employability of the graduate. Almost eight out of 10 found a job or 87.7 percent of those had a job not only here but also in other countries)," Bertiz said.
He added that the agency is set to build 17 innovation centers nationwide designed to equip individuals with the necessary tools to empower them in their personal and professional lives.
The official emphasized intensifying efforts in the "TESDA sa Barangay" program, which aims to provide technical education and skills training to priority and marginalized sectors, particularly the youth.
Meanwhile, Bertiz noted that the P3.4 billion budget allocated to TESDA in the 2024 National Expenditure Program is a huge help to the agency, which can target more graduates from 1.2 million to 1.8 million.
“We need additional funds to cater to growing numbers of enrollees and partnerships in the industry and, at the same time, it can help us to develop more highly skilled training which is gearing towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Lalo na ang paghahabahol natin sa mga new technologies tulad ng mga AI and provincial training services, (Especially our pursuit of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and provincial training services)," he added. (Rhowen Del Rosario)