For Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May 1st Movement) executive vice chairman Lito Ustarez, free skills training programs for workers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may seem helpful, but are not what the country needs to enable those who are losing their jobs to cope with the global financial crisis.
BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
LABOR WATCH
Bulatlat
For Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May 1st Movement) executive vice chairman Lito Ustarez, free skills training programs for workers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may seem helpful, but are not what the country needs to enable those who are losing their jobs to cope with the global financial crisis.
Ustarez expressed this view when asked to comment on the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) recent move to fully subsidize all its training programs.
Established through Republic Act No. 7796, otherwise known as the Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994, TESDA is the result of the mergers of the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC), the Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE), and the Bureau of Local Employment’s (BLE) Apprenticeship Program. In its Mission, Vision and Value Statement, it describes itself as “the leading partner in the development of the Filipino workforce with world-class competence and positive work values.”
Training programs
In an interview, Ronald Sta. Ana of TESDA’s Public Information Office said the agency provides training programs to develop skills that are sought after in as many job sectors as possible. “We provide training for whatever skills are in demand,” he said.
As of last January, TESDA provides training programs in the following areas: automotive manufacturing; construction; metals and engineering heating, ventilation, and airconditioning; electronics; agriculture and fishery; processed food and beverages; tourism (hotels and restaurants; health, social and other community development services; information and communication technology; aviation/land transportation; maritime; garments; language skills; dressmaking/tailoring; massage; mechanics; and automotive servicing.
Before, trainees had to pay fees for these programs. “The subsidy was increased, so that all programs are now 100-percernt subsidized,” Sta. Ana said.
“This is the agency’s response to the global financial crisis,” Sta. Ana added.
TESDA Order No. 410, Series of 2008, states:
In response to the Economic Sustainability Plan to reduce unemployment and underemployment in the face of the financial crisis gripping the local economy and to assist the poor and deserving Filipinos to enroll in job-directed training programs and earn the corresponding qualification that will enhance their employability without cost to the scholar, the PGMA-Training for Work Scholarship Program (PGMA-TWSP) and the Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) Program are hereby redefined to include full training fees, training allowance, institutional incentive package and free assessment and certification. The Institutional Incentive Package, an enabling intervention to stimulate the training market, shall be made an integral component of the PGMA-TWSP.
Sta. Ana said TESDA currently serves 522 laid-off OFWs and 303 displaced workers.
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