MANILA, Philippines — More than 600 youths were awarded with scholarships on Tuesday by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for free training as a new batch of scholars.
According to TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva, his office is pressing ahead with its mandate to provide accessible and relevant high quality technical vocational education and training especially to the youth.
Under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), 36 youths have been selected per region or a total of 612 scholars nationwide to receive scholarships for free train ing in courses which will provide them greater opportunities for employment.
“A total of R3 million has been allocated by TESDA for the new scholars,” said Villanueva.
He said some 100 initial grantees from the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 3 and Region 4-A received the scholarship vouchers in a simple ceremony at the TESDA office in Taguig City last Aug. 2.
“We want to help our young people realize their dreams through the scholarships we provide. Many of them are not able to go to school due to the escalating tuition fees charged by the schools,” he said.
With the scholarships, Villanueva said he hopes to offset if not eliminate one of the factors that prevent the youths from pursuing their dreams.
“We are thinking of implementing more programs geared towards this direction and which also demonstrate our battlecry, TESDA, Kaagapay sa Matuwid na Pag-unlad,” he said.
The TESDA chief also expressed hope that the deserving ones chosen to receive the free education should do their part in ensuring that they complete the course, undertake the assessment and pass it to get the certification from
the agency.
“The certification will prove that they possess the knowledge and skills and can demonstrate the competencies of workers required by companies here or abroad,” Villanueva said.
The new batch of scholars will be given the option to enroll in qualifications or courses of their choice. However, they will also be directed to take up courses which will offer greater opportunities for employment in their localities.
Villanueva said he gave specific instructions to TESDA regional directors to regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of the scholars during the training. TESDA will also assist them in getting them rightful employment or where they can maximize their skills immediately after their training.
“TESDA will lend its support from the training, assessment and certification to employment. But I hope the scholars do their part by studying hard and completing the course. It would be a great birthday gift,” he added.
Aside from the scholarships under the TWSP, TESDA also offers free training under the Private Education Students Fund Assistance. “There are scholarships for them. Potential scholars need a roadmap of what are available to them. –INA HERNANDO-MALIPOT, Manila Bulletin
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