DBM backs TESDA to elevate the Filipino workforce
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman
affirmed the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to
fostering education and holistic skills development for Filipino youth by
allocating P15.2 billion for various programs offered by the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) next year.
Secretary Pangandaman stressed that, alongside strengthening the
economy, the government will likewise invest heavily in human capital
development through education.
“Access to quality education will also be at the forefront of
the government’s education agenda through the Universal Access to Quality
Tertiary Education (UAQTE),” the Secretary said.
In his budget message, President Bongbong Marcos underscored the importance of
addressing the issue of jobs and skills mismatch, while providing comprehensive
training and education in emerging sectors is crucial in elevating the
qualifications of the Filipino workforce.
“By implementing targeted programs and initiatives, we can
bridge the gap between job requirements and workers’ skills by equipping them
with the necessary expertise to thrive in evolving industries,” the President
emphasizsed.
“As the country’s economy continues to recover and the need for
more skilled workers continues to rise, it is crucial to retrain, reskill, and
retool our workforce,” he added.
Furthermore, the Budget Secretary specified that an allocation
of P3.4 billion will be dedicated directly to TESDA's Free Technical-Vocational
Education and Training initiative, which forms part of the UAQTE program and
will benefit approximately 38,179 enrollees and 10,126 graduates.
Meanwhile, another P200 million in education assistance will be
funneled towards the Private Educational Student Financial Assistance (PESFA)
program to provide training fees and allowances for 9,708 students and 8,737
graduates.
In line with the strategy to modernize the Philippine Technical
and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, a significant budget of
P1.8 billion is earmarked for the Supporting Innovation in the Philippine
Technical and Vocational Education and Training System (SIPTVETS) program.
Deemed as an effective alternative in responding to the
progressively globalized, technology-centric, and knowledge-driven market, the
SIPTVETS program is intended to align the preparedness of the Filipino
workforce, particularly the mid-level sector, to international competitiveness.
The latest initiative by the TESDA, the SIPTVETS program, aims
at not only enhancing the quality of local skills training programs and
augmenting training facilities and equipment, but also building the capacity of
trainers to cultivate advanced skills and competencies, thereby meeting the
requisites of the contemporary job market.
Training for Work Scholarship Program
An additional P3.2 billion has been allocated to fund the
Training for Work Scholarship program. This initiative is designed to offer
targeted skills training, aimed at addressing gaps in knowledge and fulfilling
the necessary job requirements identified by priority industries and sectors.
The program is poised to make instrumental contributions in
addressing employment demands and alleviating poverty.
The Training for Work Scholarship program has set its sights on
empowering approximately 147,990 students, with an anticipated graduation rate
of 133,191 individuals. This reflects the program's level of commitment and
dedication to capacity-building and sustainable development.
Special Training for Employment Program
To address the pervasive issue of poverty within the informal
sector, TESDA is committed to launching a strategic initiative known as the
Special Training for Employment Program. This initiative is designed to offer
not only expert training but also viable employment opportunities.
In order to facilitate the effective implementation of this
initiative, a considerable sum of approximately P1.3 billion has been
allocated. This substantial funding will be primarily utilized to cover the
allowance stipends and provide starter toolkits for the anticipated 47,664
program enrollees, as well as the 42,897 prospective graduates. The endeavor is
aimed to bolster hands-on vocational skills, fostering economic
self-sufficiency amongst the associated demography.
Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program
The Tulong Trabaho scholarship initiative, a program devised to
combat unemployment and discrepancies in job skills, has been allocated a
budget of P1 billion. This program provides Selected Training Programs (STPs)
to the expected 48,653 program enrollees and 43,787 potential graduates.
This scholarship program was brought into existence through Republic Act No.
11230. The key aim of this legislation is to adopt more inventive strategies in
TVET, intricately aligned with the industry's specific demands and
requirements. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)
