MANILA – More than 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents have completed various courses offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in the first half of 2022, the agency said Friday.
At least 5,021 overseas workers and 5,276 dependents of OFWs graduated under various qualifications.
The TESDA said most of the repatriated OFWs have enrolled in Entrepreneurship, Driving NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, and Caregiving NC II.
TESDA Director General Danilo Cruz encouraged other OFWs and their dependents, whether they are in the country or abroad, to also avail themselves of the agency's various training programs.
“All they have to do is to reach out to the TESDA office in their area or as easy as to download the TESDA Mobile App to access our programs and services,” he said.
Returning OFWs can also approach OFW desks located in international airports in the country if they want to inquire about the courses.
TESDA's field offices have also put up an OFWs' desk to assist displaced workers, Cruz said.
"With the new administration, we commit to improving our programs to produce highly-skilled and globally-competitive workers who can adapt to the ever-changing demand of the industry,” he said.
The agency has been assisting displaced OFWs through the OFW Reintegration for Skills Employment (RISE) Program being implemented with the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration, Philippine Trade Training Center, and Coca-Cola Philippines.
OFW RISE is an online course for returning OFWs who would like to learn entrepreneurship.
TESDA also offers the Training for Work Scholarship Program, tailored for those who plan to go into entrepreneurship. Scholars of this program are given toolkits that they could use for business. (PNA)