MANILA -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is revising its existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to boost the two agency's partnership for the government's "Build, Build, Build" program.
TESDA has been prioritizing the provision of free training or infrastructure-related technical and vocational education and training (TVET), as the "Build, Build, Build" program requires about 200,000 construction workers.
"We highlighted in the updating and revision of MOU our support to the 'Build, Build, Build' (program), and the involvement of DPWH, particularly its Bureau of Equipment, in skills training and assessment of construction workers," TESDA Planning Office executive director Marissa Legaspi told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Wednesday afternoon.
She added the MOU is currently in the finalization stage, and for review of both the agencies' legal departments.
"We target this MOU to be signed this year, probably by August or September," Legaspi said.
According to TESDA, it had signed an MOU with DPWH in 2006. Under the MOU, TESDA was tasked to help in the training and assessment of DPWH's heavy equipment operators.
With the revised MOU, TESDA eyes to enable DPWH engineers to be trainers and assessors. A crash course will be provided for them to prepare them as trainers and assessors of other skilled or qualified construction-related workers.
The DPWH, for its part, will provide practicum and administration venues, according to TESDA.
The two agencies are also working together to come up with competency standards, competency-based curriculum, and competency-based learning materials for equipment operators and technicians.
Legaspi earlier told the PNA that DPWH could help in providing employment to TESDA's trainees, since the DPWH has a huge need for construction.
Moreover, the DPWH wanted its skilled workers to get a national certification (NC), which the TESDA provides, she said.
Meanwhile, TESDA shared that 81 heavy equipment operators and engineers from DPWH-BOE passed the assessment that TESDA held for them last July 14-15. (PNA)
