The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) announced Thursday that it will be transferred to the Department of Labor and Employment, allowing for improved coordination and skill development training.

Previously, the TESDA was an associated agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

According to TESDA Deputy Director General Aniceto Bertiz III, the action would solve “jobskills mismatch” by teaching learners based on industry demands.

“We are focusing more on area-based, demand-driven TVET (technical-vocational education and training) program. It is no longer a supply-driven TVET, but area-based demand-driven program. Ito po iyong mga industry-based,” Bertiz stated.

“Since na ang Department of Labor ang namamahala sa ating mga kompanya at sa ating mga paggawa, so mas nakikita natin iyong ating mga TVET graduates will land a better job or also will help the industry,” he stated.

This is industry-specific. Because the Department of Labor controls all of our businesses and employees, we should do a better job of ensuring that our TVET graduates get better positions.

TESDA has listed 7.5 million enrollees and 6.9 million graduates from 2018 to September 2022.

According to Bertiz, the organization intends to develop more highly competent learners through its diploma programs.

“Tumataas din po ang bilang ng ating mga learners pagdating po sa ating agrikultura. Hindi lamang po iyong mga talagang traditional farmers, so iyong mga matatanda na, pati na rin po iyong mga kabataan. Kasi nga meron na tayong digital agricultures, iyong mga tinatawag nating mga crop productions, animal productions, preparations, iyong mga organic farming natin that we are offering,” he continued.

“Nagiging interesado ang ating mga learners, pati iyong mga kabataan. Lalong-lalo na doon sa diploma courses natin na wala silang binabayaran na tuition fee at may mga allowance pa po sila,” he said.

TESDA offers about 500 recognized diploma courses around the country, including those in engineering, information technology, and agriculture. All senior high school graduates are eligible for these three-year laddered programs.

According to Bertiz, graduates of diploma courses can either seek work through the agency’s partner companies or enroll in 4-year courses at colleges and universities.

All TESDA diploma course graduates will receive 12 national certificates based on the course they completed.

According to the Study on the Employment of TVET Graduates, the employment rate of TESDA graduates was 78.57 percent in 2021, up from 70.51 percent in 2020—both years during the COVID epidemic.

According to the organization, this corresponds to “7 out of 10 graduates securing jobs after graduating from TESDA.”

Bertiz stated that 48 percent of registrants are also four-year school graduates looking to improve their skills through TESDA for better career opportunities.

The TESDA website provides access to a list of training and diploma courses. These are all free, and pupils are also given a daily allowance of up to P160.